BEIJING - China has established a national professional center for food safety risk assessment, which is a major move for China in applying improved scientific management to preventing food scandals.

Inaugurated in Beijing Thursday, the government-funded organization is designed to offer technological support in assessing, monitoring, issuing early warnings and communicating food security risks and food safety standards.

Minister of Health Chen Zhu addressed the founding ceremony, calling the center's formation a key step for China in guarding food safety.

Chen urged the center to play an active role in helping authorities make decisions regarding food safety in a scientific manner.

According to officials, the center has formed more than 300 monitoring sites across China, including sites in supermarkets and farm produce markets.

Since 2010 China has established a nationwide food safety risk monitoring system, as well as a national panel of experts to assess food safety risks and a judgement commission for national food safety standards.