International laboratory proficiency testing program launched in Shanghai

An international laboratory proficiency testing program for Belt and Road partner countries was launched jointly by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), China National Accreditation Service (CNAS), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on Thursday in Shanghai.

Proficiency testing is an internationally recognized approach for technical exchange and cooperation in inspection and testing. It precisely identifies differences and issues across testing institutions in multiple dimensions, including equipment, interpretation of standards, and operational procedures.

The program will focus on heavy metal contamination and veterinary drug residues, with lead, cadmium, chromium, and chloramphenicol as key testing items. SAMR has already organized authoritative testing institutions to prepare standard reference materials.

"These reference materials have undergone preliminary testing, and their standard values are already known. If we find significant deviations in a participant's test results, we will work with them to identify the cause, ultimately helping them improve testing capabilities," said Chen Dongdong from Chinese Academy of Quality and Inspection and Testing.

The program is expected to involve nearly 40 official testing institutions from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries.

"The program will enhance the consistency and equivalence of laboratory test results between China and BRI partner countries, thus further boosting mutual trust in trade and consumer trust in product quality and safety," said Guo Dong, an official of the SAMR.

To mark Chinese Sturgeon Protection Day, around 550,000 Chinese sturgeons were released into Jingzhou and Yichang sections of the Yangtze River in central China's Hubei Province, as well as in Shanghai, on Saturday.

Nicknamed "aquatic pandas," Chinese sturgeons have existed for over 140 million years. However, the natural population of the species in the Yangtze plummeted in the late 20th century due to intrusive human activities.

The fish is primarily protected through artificial breeding followed by release into the natural environment. In recent years, China has made significant conservation efforts, including expanding artificial breeding and release and fostering natural breeding of the species.

The annual releases of captive-bred Chinese sturgeons have exceeded 1 million for two consecutive years since 2024, effectively replenishing wild populations of the endangered species.