China Claims Covid-19 Detected in More Indian Fish Exports Amid Growing Criticism


By: PTI | Beijing |

Updated: November 18, 2020 9:48:01 pm





This is the second time that Chinese officials claim to have found coronavirus in Indian fish exports. (Archive)

Chinese officials have claimed that traces of more cold chain imports from different countries, including India, were found amid mounting criticism from various nations that the tests and restrictions are not based on science and would disrupt trade. .

Cold chain imports from India, Russia and Argentina test positive in one day in China, the Global Times reported Wednesday.

Two packages of frozen butter fish from India, one package sample of Russian frozen salmon and two samples of frozen beef from Argentina tested positive at -19, according to the report.

Chinese officials said traces of coronavirus were found in packages from 20 countries.

This is the second time Chinese officials have claimed to have found coronavirus in Indian fish exports.

On November 13, the General Administration of Customs of China suspended seafood imports from an Indian company for a week from Friday after COVID-19 was found on the outer packaging of some samples of frozen cuttlefish.

On November 16, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern questioned claims by Chinese officials that her country’s meat products had traces of coronavirus.

“This is incredibly important to New Zealand. We are confident that our products are neither exported nor exported, with signs of COVID on them, given our essentially COVID-free status, ”Ardern said.

When asked about his reaction to criticism from New Zealand and other countries that China’s latest COVID-19 restriction on imported goods is not based on science and threatens to disrupt trade, the Foreign Ministry spokesman China’s Zhao Lijian said the accusations are totally unfounded and unreasonable. .

“While the global COVID-19 pandemic remains serious, the competent authorities of the Chinese government have taken necessary, reasonable and justified testing measures on imported food in the spirit of putting people’s lives and health first. “he said at a press conference here Wednesday.

“We will adjust the relevant measures in due course in light of the development of the epidemic situation and the need for prevention and control,” Zhao said.

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