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China has welcomed the results of a New Zealand investigation into the safety of Chinese-made children's pyjamas, saying it is committed to addressing consumer concerns around the world.
A series of scandals involving Chinese exports ranging from pet food and toothpaste to toys has put increasing pressure on Beijing to clean up its manufacturing sector.
Last week, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs launched an investigation into the safety of New Zealand's imported clothing after the Target TV programme found woollen and cotton fabrics from China contained levels of formaldehyde up to 900 times the safety limit set by the World Health Organisation.
A separate investigation by the Government into the safety of Chinese-made pyjamas found no violation of standards.
The probe was launched after two boys suffered minor burns when their pyjamas caught fire.
Wang Xinpei, a spokesman for China's Ministry of Commerce, said China had closely watched the widely reported burns accident and welcomed the New Zealand inquiry's conclusion.
"The Chinese Government will be responsible for consumers around the world and will never try to shy away from any spotted problems," said Mr Wang.
Mattel, the world's largest toymaker, recalled more than 18 million Chinese-made toys this month because of risks from small magnets that can injure children if swallowed, just two weeks after it recalled 1.5 million toys due to fears over lead paint.
Following warnings over Chinese-made toothpaste, petfood ingredients, tyres, eels and seafood, and lethal chemicals that found their way into medicine, the toy recall has magnified calls for much tougher scrutiny of such imports.
- Reuters
