On November 19, 2008, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s office in Beijing was officially opened. This is the first overseas office set up by FDA. Shao Mingli, Commissioner of the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), Mike Leavitt, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach, and U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt Jr. cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony.

Shao Mingli said in his speech that along with economic globalization, drug safety has become an issue that crosses the borders of individual countries. To ensure drug safety for the public and protect public health is the historic mission in front of the governments of all countries, and to enhance cooperation is the only choice. The establishment of this office will become a platform to facilitate exchanges between the regulatory departments of U.S. and China, and make positive contributions to the bilateral cooperation in the field of food and drug supervision.