Following an instruction on July 16 requiring investigation into the vaccine problem, Premier Li Keqiang said in a second instruction on July 22 that the vaccine case has crossed a moral line, and the people deserve a clear explanation.

Premier Li urged the State Council to immediately dispatch an investigation team, saying that the whole industrial chain covering vaccine production and sales must be examined thoroughly to discover the truth as soon as possible.

Any wrongdoing will be severely punished regardless of who is involved, Premier Li said.

Violations of the laws that harm people’s lives and safety must result in tough measures, including reprimands for malpractice of supervision duties. The Premier stressed that determined efforts should be made to give the people a secure and trustworthy living environment.