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CNN said it did not mean to cause offence when one of its commentators said the Chinese were "goons" and that their products were "junk".
Jack Cafferty's comments prompted an angry demand from China for an apology.
"It was not Mr Cafferty's nor CNN's intent to cause offence to the Chinese people, and (CNN) would apologise to anyone who has interpreted the comments in this way," the TV network said.
Cafferty was offering his "strongly held" opinion of the Chinese Government.
Cafferty had said the US imported Chinese-made "junk with the lead paint on them and the poisoned pet food", adding: "They're basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years."
