The 8th China Food Safety Publicity Week was launched in Beijing on Tuesday, heralding 12 days of events themed "Safer food and better lives achieved through virtuous character and the practice of law."

Authorities in the agriculture, customs and public security sectors also revealed the latest data related to food security this year.

About 97.1 percent of the 19,700 samples of vegetables, fruits, tea, livestock, poultry and aquatic products passed quality tests in the first half of 2018, according to the top produce quality authority.

Customs authorities across China inspected food imports worth $64 billion, a year-on-year increase of 12.9 percent. About $4.8 million worth of the inspected food was refused entry into China, including drinks, cakes, biscuits and sugary products.

More than 6,500 cases involving food safety issues were solved by public security authorities, with over 11,000 suspects seized by the police.

A series of events focusing on different topics will be held from July 18 to 29, including food safety for children, the catering business and household food security.