China's nationwide industry and administrative units received more than 8.08 million consumer complaints, reports and inquiries in 2016, representing year-on-year growth of 3.9 percent, local authorities said Tuesday.
Of these cases, the number of consumer complaints increased by 29.1 percent year on year to 1.667 million in 2016, hitting a record high, according to figures released by China's State Administration for Industry & Commerce (SAIC).
Consumer inquiries accounted for more than 6.08 million cases and consumer reports reached 326,300 cases, the administration said, adding that 8.08 million cases helped consumers avoid 1.8 billion yuan (260 million U.S. dollars) in economic losses.
Product quality, contract problems and after-sales services were the top three complaints, though down from previous years.
Complaints about daily necessities, vehicles and home appliances accounted for 49.9 percent of product-related complaints, while complaints about telecom, personal and hospitality services and online shopping services made up 51.6 percent of the service-related complaints during the reporting period.
Complaints related to product advertisements soared over 198 percent from the same period of 2015 after China's new advertisement law enhanced punishment for false advertising.
"The rising number of complaints shows Chinese consumers are paying more attention to protecting their consumer rights, urging national administrative units to perform their duties well to maintain a sound market and consumption environment," SAIC spokesperson Yu Fachang said.
