The Yangtze River Delta region, including Shanghai and its three neighboring provinces, will explore pilot initiatives that would allow for unconditional exchanges and returns for purchases, even at different cities and stores in the region, among other consumer-friendly measures.

The proposal is part of a national three-year action plan, issued by five departments, aimed at optimizing the consumer environment starting this year. It was published on the website of the State Administration for Market Regulation on Feb 18.

The plan encourages cities in the region to establish mechanisms for mutual recognition and sharing of consumer credit information. It also promotes piloting mechanisms to create an alliance for cross-regional consumer protection.

According to the action plan, the overall consumer environment in the country will be significantly optimized by 2027, with significant progress in the quality of goods and services, as well as substantial enhancements in consumer convenience, comfort, and satisfaction.

By that time, issues such as low-quality supply, market disorder, and insufficient effectiveness in consumer rights protection will be systematically addressed.

The goal will be achieved through five major initiatives: improving the quality of consumer supply, optimizing market order, enhancing consumer rights protection, co-governing the consumer environment, and becoming a leader in the development of the consumer environment.

The plan also states that the government will crack down on misconduct that negatively affects people’s livelihoods. For instance, it will inspect and penalize the sale of counterfeit or substandard food products.

Additionally, it will regulate unfair terms imposed by businesses in sectors such as tourism, telecommunications, furnishings, and delivery. Actions such as unlawful online solicitation, coercing consumers into shopping, and other illegal practices in the tourism market will be prosecuted.

Source: Xinhua