Taiwan fruits shown on a trade fair on Sept 28, 2015, in Nanjing International Expo Center, Jiangsu province, attract visitors. [Photo/VCG] TAIPEI -- Taiwan's exports slumped for the fifth consecutive month in March as weakness in global demand weighed on its electronics products, according to the latest trade data. Exports fell 4.4 percent year on year in March to 28.68 billion US dollars, while imports rose 6.6 percent from the previous year to 25.56 billion US dollars. For the first quarter, exports fell 4.2 percent from a year earlier to 76.36 billion US dollars, snapping a rallying streak of 10 quarters, while imports shed 0.8 percent to 67.41 billion US dollars in the first three months, trimming trade surplus to 8.95 billion US dollars. Trade authorities warned of further decline in exports due to weak global growth. In March, declines were reported in most of Taiwan's main export products -- ranging from electronic components, metals and their products, to plastic and rubber prodcuts. The Chinese mainland and Hong Kong remained the biggest destination for Taiwan exports, followed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the United States, Europe, and Japan. extra large silicone wristbandsfigured wristbandscustomized rubber braceletsfibromyalgia bracelet siliconebuy helo wristband
[Photo/VCG] China will improve its long-term regulatory mechanism for vaccines and implement the toughest possible oversight on related products, Jiao Hong, head of the National Medical Products Administration, said on Monday. She said domestically made vaccines were safe overall, affirming comments made by the head of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention on March 4, who urged the public not to lose trust in the country's vaccine sector. Recent vaccine failures, including the faulty rabies vaccines made by Changchun Changsheng Bio Tech Co in Jilin province, and expired anti-polio doses distributed in Jiangsu province, had exposed irregularities within the sector and prompted stronger supervision, Jiao said a new draft law on vaccine management, to tighten the supervision and management of production, research, and distribution of these products, had been reviewed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and released to solicit public opinion. The draft law proposes severe punishment for those who participated in illegal practices and investigations into inspectors who fail their responsibilities. Authorities are also mulling changes to be made to the country's Pharmaceutical Administration Law and discussing supporting measures, in an effort to facilitate law enforcement in the future, Jiao told reporters during a news conference on the sidelines of the ongoing two sessions. Jiao added that vaccine manufactures should establish a complete product management and tracing system, and report safety issues to authorities. Central and local inspectors will step up both spot checks and routine on-site inspections, as part of measures to toughen oversight over vaccine makers. Better training will be provided to inspectors to enhance their ability to identify issues. The ultimate goal is to ensure the safety of vaccines and safeguard public health, she said.
