Chinese premier vows to boost dairy industry

BEIJING - China's cabinet on Friday announced detailed plans to improve the quality of domestic milk powder, fulfilling its pledge to address a persistent food safety issue that hinders more robust growth in the world's second-largest economy.

In an executive meeting of the State Council headed by Premier Li Keqiang, the government vowed to improve the quality of development of the nation's dairy industry and help make some domestic brands well established so as to regain consumer confidence.

"Milk powder safety is not only an issue concerning people's livelihood, but also a major economic and social issue. It is urgent for the government to upgrade the safety standard of domestic milk powder," according to a statement released after the meeting.

Under its detailed plan, the government will support the standardized scale farming of cows and encourage mergers and restructuring among milk powder companies to promote the dairy industry to develop in a standardized and modern manner.