Firms exposed for consumer rights missteps apologize

A string of companies apologized for their negligence after being exposed by China's annual consumer rights gala on Thursday.

The show, usually hosted on March 15, the world consumer rights day, was delayed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burger King, a US-based fast-food chain, has been exposed for failing to meet its operating standards, including using expired ingredients to make hamburgers at some outlets in Nanchang, Jiangxi province. Burger King China soon said in a statement on its social media platform on Weibo that it has set up a working group to investigate those stores involved, with business suspended.

SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile (SGMW), a joint venture between General Motors and Liuzhou Wuling Motors, said in a statement it apologized for gearbox problems in the Baojun 560 sport-utility vehicle model. The company vowed to take responsibility for the issue at all costs.

Chinese mobile content aggregator Qutoutiao apologized for its suspected illegal advertisements, including misleading health claims and even gambling. The company said on its Weibo account it would carry out an investigation and strengthen its review of advertisements. The New York-listed company saw its shares down 23.04 percent on Thursday.

Property developer Vanke claimed in a statement it has solved water leakage problems in the exposed real estate project in Guangzhou by June 30, 2019.

Thursday's show also discussed other business misconduct including sea cucumber farming, inferior towels and rip-off beauty products, which local market regulatory authorities have begun to probe in special investigations.