The Shaanxi Provincial Industrial and Commercial Administration upgraded its center that handles complaints to better safeguard the interests of consumers.

The center has introduced more channels by which residents may lodge complaints, including telephone, website and mobile phone messages, which enhance the ability of the authorities to protect consumers' rights and interests, said Yu Zhide, deputy director of the administration.

The center also provides business consulting, gets reports of illegal economic acts and handles reports about violations made by administrative officials, Yu added.

The upgraded center will begin operations on March 15, World Consumer Rights Day.

Yu said that in 2013, his administration received 175,804 complaints, reports and consultations about consumer rights and business. Of those, 175,573 were handled, and economic losses totaling 28.6 million yuan ($4.66 million) were redeemed.