The latest consumer report released by the China Consumers' Association in cooperation with 45 provincial and municipal consumers' associations shows that the interests and rights of 40% of Chinese consumers have been seriously harmed in the last year.

The survey, on which the report has been based, was started at the beginning of 2007, targeting consumers 16-65 years old, to know about how they felt protected when making purchases and dealing with companies.

44.1% of those polled said that their interests had been seriously harmed and 42.3% of those say that the damage to their interest has caused large economic losses to them.

47.8% of the consumers say that they have asked for compensation after their rights were infringed, of which 37% say they are satisfied with the compensation but 35.9% say that they are not content with the compensation although their compensation requests have been met.

The report says that Chinese consumers suffer mostly from fake goods, false advertisements and excessive housing prices.