Global Food Safety (Beijing) Forum, jointly sponsored by the Development Research Center of the State Council, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Commerce of China, and the Canada International Development Agency, was held in Beijing on November 18-19,2004. The theme of the forum was to "promote food safety technological innovation and build an effective food safety system".

The forum addressed the issues including the establishment and improvement of China's national food safety strategy, meeting new challenges of global food safety, promoting technological innovation on food safety, the improvement of food safety standards and promotion of international food trade, the improvement of food safety regulation and legislation, and the promotion of international cooperation in food safety.

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi said in her opening speech that the Chinese government would strengthen food safety efforts in the following ways. Firstly, China will borrow international experiences to streamline food monitoring system. Secondly, China will monitor international food safety technology and set up food safety technical supporting system. Thirdly, a new system of food standards will be established. Fourthly, a uniform and effective food safety monitoring network will be built to supervise the entire food supply chain. Fifthly, a food safety credit system will be set up. And finally, more special programs will be launched to tackle food safety issues.

According to Wu Yi, the Chinese government will remain dedicated to the improvement of international cooperation and exchanges on food safety, borrow and share experiences from the international community, and make contribution to the establishment of an effective and harmonious worldwide food safety system.