The Chinese Commerce Ministry announced a list of 222 products that were granted the quality-guarantee mark last year.

These products include rice and vegetable oil, soft drinks, dairy products, garments, shoes, electrical appliances, computers, telephone sets, machinery, agricultural equipment, chemical fertiliser and insecticide, cars and motorcycles.

Chutima Bunyapraphasara, director-general of Thailand's Trade Negotiations Department, said the measure had managed to strengthen China's export competitiveness in the world market.

In addition, it would also encourage Chinese manufacturers to concentrate more on quality development.

"China is to improve its export goods' image to offer not only cheaper prices but also higher quality and product variety," she said.

She warned that Thai exporters should focus more on both product and quality development as well as marketing management to maintain the country's export competitiveness with high-quality goods from China.

Jungceylon shopping complex to open

Phuket Square will officially open the Jungceylon, a shopping complex in Patong Beach on the resort island of Phuket, on April 8.

Deputy CEO Prawit Janyasittikul said that the company would spend Bt100 million on marketing activities and events throughout this year under a theme entitled "East meets West".

"Out of the total retail space of 75,000 square metres, 90 per cent has been already occupied by retail tenants, while 70 per cent of the outlets have already started business activities," he said.

"We are confident that we will be able to increase numbers of visitors to the complex from 15,000 a day to between 40,000 and 50,000."