Kunming Evening   
        Recently, the writer has learnt from the relevant department that the State General Administration of Quality Supervision Inspection and Quarantine officially issued Product Standard for Origin of Specie: Wenshan Panax Pseudoginseng (GB19086-2003), which will take effect on September 1. It marks the first state standard promulgated in China for TCM product protection at the origin of specie. 
        In terms of the research method, the Product Standard for Origin of Specie: Wenshan Panax Pseudoginseng adopts the world leading fingerprint technology for identification and high pressure liquid chromatography for determination of content. And for the first time, hygienic and microbiological indices were set out in a national standard for TCM materials, detailing the pesticides allowed and disallowed to be used. After product protection at origin of specie is implemented, Wenshan panax pseudoginseng may be protected through international multi-lateral or bi-lateral cooperation as a unique cultural and geographically economic heritage. By means of special origin and product marks and standardized control, Wenshan panax pseudoginseng may be effectively protected from being infringed by external fake, and some illegal doings in the production and circulation sectors may be thus stemmed, which will help normalize the market and economic order, and maintain Wenshan panax pseudoginseng's advantage in high quality, awareness and added value, enhance competitiveness of the panax pseudoginseng products, boost appreciation of the products, and promote industrialized development of high quality brand product. In the meantime, it is believed to be instrumental to maximization, enrichment and development of the unique cultural connotation inherent with Wenshan panax pseudoginseng, further improvement of the Wenshan panax pseudoginseng's position as a unique Chinese product, and introduction of best Chinese products to the world.
Wenshan, as the origin and main production area of panax pseudoginseng, has reportedly a panax pseudoginseng growing history of 400 years. The State General Administration of Quality Supervision Inspection and Quarantine issued a directive on November 8, 2002, instructing protection at origin of specie for Wenshan panax pseudoginseng products. But for the entire work, what's most important is formulation of the origin and product standards. Therefore, enactment of the Origin and Product Standard: Wenshan Panax Pseudoginseng means important for the Wenshan Zhuang & Miao Autonomous Prefecture to accelerate development of the panax pseudoginseng industry.

(Source: May 27, 2003 issue of Kunming Evening)