HHS/FDA to Establish Permanent Presence in China

March 13, 2008 – The U.S. Department of State announced that it approved of the establishment of positions from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at U.S. Diplomatic Posts in the People’s Republic of China. Our plans over the next two years call for eight full-time, direct-hire HHS/FDA staff, along with five locally employed staff, to work in China at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, and the U.S. Consulates General in Shanghai and Guangzhou.

These placements in China are the first step in our HHS/FDA "Beyond our Borders" initiative to establish an HHS/FDA presence overseas for the first time, and to build capacity among foreign regulators.  In an age when a border is not a barrier, the globalized economy demands nothing less than regulatory interoperability, transparent information-exchange, and close cooperation among regulatory bodies, especially on product-quality and enforcement matters.

Along with the historic Memoranda of Agreement Secretary Leavitt signed in December 2007 with two Chinese government agencies, this is an important step in that direction.  It also allows HHS/FDA to continue to help ensure Americans have access to safe food, drugs, and medical devices, wherever they happen to be manufactured.  We look forward to agreement from the Chinese Government on the placement of these new positions, including the concessions of the necessary diplomatic visas and other credentials for our staff.

Last revised: March 17, 2008