Published : 2024-12-26

On December 26, 1984, the China Consumers' Association (CCA) was founded in Beijing.

At the beginning of China's Reform and Opening-up, China's market economy underwent tremendous changes, while a large number of counterfeit and substandard goods appeared across various regions, leaving consumers with complaints nowhere to be heard.

The CCA was the first national social organisation to protect consumer rights after the start of the Reform and Opening-up.

The work of the CCA was initially led by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, with its office located within the Administration's premises.

The now nationally renowned "315 Gala" did not appear until 1991, and prior to that, the CCA had already established the "tradition" of holding events on March 15.

For example, on March 15, 1986, the Association held its first consumer rights protection promotional event in front of the Dongfeng Market on Wangfujing Street in Beijing.

The scene was bustling with crowds, so much so that the event, originally scheduled to end at 11:30 in the morning, had to be extended until 1:30 in the afternoon.