Overseas buyers sample soccer balls at Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

East China's Zhejiang province announced a comprehensive plan on Jan 2 to strengthen its consumer goods industry, targeting significant improvements in quality and competitiveness by 2027.

The plan focuses on improving product qualification rates, promoting intelligent manufacturing, and enhancing brand development and marketing. These efforts are complemented by a strengthened regulatory framework to ensure product safety and foster a more reliable consumer environment.

Zhejiang will help develop products in key sectors such as health, eldercare, childcare, home living, and leisure. Among the targeted categories are innovative items like smart home appliances, wearable devices, advanced textiles, high-end medical equipment, and electric bicycles.

The government has highlighted the need to address quality issues in e-commerce, where consumer products often face scrutiny.

New measures include random inspections, defect investigations, and the establishment of a digital traceability system to monitor product quality throughout its lifecycle. These tools aim to ensure accountability and encourage manufacturers to adopt higher standards.