China consumer watchdog show has no bite for foreign brands

Program avoids high-profile global companies in change of tone from past years

20250316N 3.15 Gala

China Central Television's "3.15 Gala" is broadcast on World Consumer Rights Day. (Screenshot from CCTV)

TOMOKO WAKASUGI

SHANGHAI -- Big foreign multinationals were mostly spared the wrath of this year's consumer advocacy show on Chinese state television, where companies with shoddy products and service are called out on air.

China Central Television's "3.15 Gala," broadcast Saturday on World Consumer Rights Day, focused on domestic problems, such as additives in frozen shrimp and disposable underwear that weren't disinfected at the factory.

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