The State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, National Internet Information Office, People’s Bank of China, and China Banking Regulatory Commission have reached a decision that from July to December 2011 a special campaign would be launched nationwide to clamp down on illegal online direct selling.

The special campaign is to be carried out in three stages. The first stage of staff deployment and mobilisation started from the day the decision was made to mid-July. During this period, various localities embarked on staff deployment and mobilisation for the special campaign, established coordinated leadership, formulated work plan, unfolded full-scale investigation, collected information on the local developments of illegal online direct selling, and mapped out crackdown tactics. From the latter half of July to November is the stage of intensive crackdown, during which various localities would take intensive actions to stamp out illegal establishments, eradicate direct selling networks, and investigate major cases. Then December will be the stage of conclusion.

During the special campaign, the above-mentioned six departments would, depending on circumstances, separately or jointly dispatch inspection teams to inspect and supervise the work carried out by different localities. Any units or individuals performing their duties not in compliance with the law and causing bad influences would be reported and criticised. Those who cause serious consequences would be held liable according to law.