Farmer Zhao Chengjun Earns More than RMB 10K Monthly by Fighting against Counterfeits

• Author: Zhang Xiong et al

January this year, Zhengzhou Gongyi City farmer Zhao Chengjun requested the Ministry of Health to disclose the “Minutes Prepared by the National Food Safety Standard Examination Committee.” After being rejected by the Ministry of Health, Zhao filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Health with the Immediate People’s Court of Beijing on February 16. On October 17, the Court ordered the Ministry of Health to reconsider Zhao’s request.

Zhao Chengjun is a “professional” fighter against counterfeit goods. The monthly income of his 3-member household came from the compensations he obtained through making 10 purchases of counterfeit goods each month. After purchasing these goods, he reported to the industrial and commercial bureaus (China’s consumer agencies) about the violations apparent on each...