According to official statistics, up to 350 million Chinese have shopped online. A government-backed study indicates a high risk for consumers, state TV reported. Bootleg products include a mobile phone with a fake circuit board, toys without proper safety certification, and ordinary soil sold as fertiliser.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) - One third of all sample goods bought online in China is either counterfeit or of poor quality, a government-backed study found.

Seven of the nine big online trading platforms in mainland China were found to be selling fake products or items that constituted a hazard to human health.

Ninety-two products - ranging from clothing, and cosmetics, to toys, fertilisers and lubricant oil - were randomly chosen.

The survey conducted by the State Administration of Industry and Commerce and the China Consumers' Association found that 38 of the goods were fake.

The products were bought from vendors selling on websites including Jd.com, Taobao.com, Tmall.com, Yhd.com and Zol.com.

The authorities punished the firms involved for their offences, a state TV station reported.

Official statistics suggest at least 350 million people have shopped online in China, with each spending at least 3,000 yuan (US$ 480).

The bulk of consumer complaints is in fact linked to purchases made on the internet, the CCTV report said.

The bootleg products bought in the survey include a Samsung mobile phone with a fake circuit board sold for 300 yuan less than its regular price, toys without proper certification to prove they were safe for children, and fertilisers that turned out to be just ordinary soil.

• china
• online
• shopping
• fake
• counterfeit