News Release

HHS Secretary to Travel to China to Strengthen Safety for U.S. Imports

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt will travel to the People’s Republic of China in December to strengthen cooperation on the safety of food and medical products exported to the United States.

While in China, the Secretary hopes to finalize two binding agreements to help ensure the safety, quality and effectiveness of food, feed, medical devices and drugs exported to the United States, and a third agreement to strengthen the U.S.-China partnership in combating HIV/AIDS.

Secretary Leavitt chairs the President’s Cabinet-level Import Safety Working Group, convened in July.  Earlier this month, the Working Group delivered its Action Plan to improve import safety to President Bush.

This trip will be the Secretary’s third trip to Asia since taking office at HHS.

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Last revised: January 20, 2009