Li Changjiang, head of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine for China, has resigned for failing “to conduct a proper inspection in this case, and Li Changjiang bears responsibility for this. The State Council has accepted his resignation,” as reported by China Central Television. Serving since 2001, the resignation comes one year after the Chinese government issued promises to reform its quality control in response to a series of food and product safety issues.
Improvements by way of random inspections, increased exchange with foreign quality inspectors, and an established national system for recalls were all introduced as a path forward for the country. These efforts to publish new regulations and procedures was its attempt to address waning customer confidence, and mitigate damaging effects to its export agreements.
Li reportedly stepped down with approval from China's Cabinet, and has been one of a handful of officials who have been held accountable for this debacle. In addition, one notable official being Wu Xianguo, Shijiazhuang's (city where Sanlu group is headquartered) top official, who was fired Monday for “failing to deal with the case properly,” according to Xinhua News.
