http://money.excite.com/jsp/nw/nwdt_rt_top.jsp?news_id=ap-d8u0i5ho0&Sunday January 6, 1:47 PM EST
BEIJING (AP) — Last August, the Chinese government unleashed its most extensive campaign since the 2002-03 outbreak of SARS, the mysterious killer disease. The goal: to shore up China's battered reputation as a manufacturer of quality goods.
As the four-month initiative — part crackdown, part public relations drive — ended in December, experts say China has taken significant steps toward addressing product quality and safety problems. But they also note the risk of backsliding in a country with a convoluted bureaucracy and a well-documented history of local leaders ignoring edicts from the top.
"The events of the past six or so months do represent a watershed," said Robert Kapp, a business consultant who headed the U.S. China Business Council from 1994 to 2004. "But watersheds are not always forever."
"The problem may be very systematic by now, and I don't know if the Chinese will overcome it," he added.
While the high-profile campaign is over, the government is continuing work on several fronts, including developing China's first-ever food safety law.
The country's reputation as an export power took a beating last year. In March, dog and cat deaths in North America were linked to a Chinese-made pet food ingredient. Then came reports of potentially dangerous frozen fish, juice, tires and toothpaste. Millions of toys were recalled in several countries over lead paint and other fears.
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