September 7, 2007

China denies it asked Indonesia to lower requirements for imports

China on Thursday (Sep 6) has denied an allegation from a newspaper report that it had asked Indonesia to lower safety standards on Chinese imports.

Chinese authorities referred to an article in The Washington Post alleging that China has asked Indonesia to lower its safety standards after Jakarta found mercury-laced makeup and carcinogenic candy.

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a news conference that China did not ask Indonesia to lower its standard and the Indonesian authorities who met with Chinese quality authorities had verified that the Chinese side did not raise the issue. 

The spokeswoman also denied China assigns more priority to developed countries when it comes to product safety.

China would not determine on safe its products would be based on the economic strength of the nation it exports to, she said.

China has blamed the international media for fanning undue paranoia over Chinese products.