Rural restrooms, ads in schools, fake foods placed under scrutiny

Police campaign targets fake and low-quality food, drugs

The Ministry of Public Security has launched a national campaign targeting crimes related to fake or low-quality foods, drugs and agricultural supplies, as well as activities that harm the environment.

The three-month crackdown started on Wednesday and will target food containing banned additives, misleading advertisements, and counterfeit anti-neoplastic drugs and medicines for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, the Ministry of Public Security said in a statement.

Efforts will also be increased to clamp down on the manufacture and sale of fake or low-quality pesticides, seeds, chemical fertilizers and other agricultural supplies, it said, adding that activities that damage the environment will also be targeted, including illegal mining, fishing and the disposal of pollutants.

Police nationwide have handled over 21,000 cases and detained more than 26,000 suspects related to such crimes this year, the statement said.

Regulation aims to prevent online money laundering

The central bank has rolled out a regulation that requires online financial institutions to increase efforts to prevent money laundering.

The regulation, released by the People's Bank of China and other departments on Wednesday, requires internet-based financial institutions refine the system to prevent money laundering and better identify their clients.

Online financial institutions have been urged to improve awareness of efforts to prevent money laundering and ensure the regulation is effective. They need to store data and materials for work related to money laundering and ensure each transaction can be traced.

Institutions are also required to report on large or suspicious transactions as well as establish monitoring systems, according to the regulation.