China's market watchdog is to crack down on the production and distribution of fake and shoddy products in the vast rural areas as the Chinese Lunar New Year is drawing near.

The State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (SAQSIQ) will launch a month-long quality check targeting at the rural market, starting from Feb. 10.

Ten items including liquor, food, house wares, fireworks and garments topped the checking list. Illegal doings such as counterfeiting and false labeling will be severely punished, the administration announced.

The Chinese people, especially rural residents, have a tradition to pile up abundant daily-use articles for the traditional festival, which falls on Feb. 18 this year.

Editor: Wing