Chinese minister vows all exports will be risk-free

SYDNEY (Kyodo) Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai told trade minister Akira Amari on Wednesday that China will not allow even "one-thousandth of a risk" involving the safety of its exports, including food, a Japanese official said.

During a meeting in Sydney on the sidelines of annual gatherings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, Bo was responding to Amari's request that China make greater efforts to ensure the safety of its exports, the official said.

"I would like China to show the world how strict its measures are" to cope with growing concerns over the safety of Chinese-produced food and other products, Amari was quoted as telling Bo.

"We have decided to pursue tough measures," Bo reportedly replied. "We will not miss even one-thousandth of a risk."

The discovery of chemical residues and banned substances in Chinese exports ranging from toothpaste and pet food to toys has sparked jitters around the world over Made-in-China products.

Japanese consumers have grown concerned about food imported from China, including antibiotic-tainted eel products.

China, the world's fourth-largest economy, is Japan's biggest trading partner.

U.S. toy maker Mattel Inc. is recalling 3,440 Chinese-made toys in Japan because of possible hazardous levels of lead paint, its Japanese unit said Wednesday.

Subject to the recall are five types of miniature furniture sets for Barbie dolls shipped between March 6 and Aug. 23, Mattel International K.K. said. Barbie dolls themselves are not subject to the recall.

There has been no report of health problems regarding the toys, the company said.