China warns India on banning toy imports

Beijing, Feb 9: China today voiced "serious concern" to India over its blanket ban on importing Chinese toys, asking New Delhi to show "prudence", since its intensive use of trade remedies could pose a "serious threat" to booming bilateral trade ties.

"China hoped that India could show prudence and restraint in using trade remedies in the face of the global economic situation, as it could pose a threat to bilateral trade," the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MoC) said in a statement.

The statement came after Chinese Deputy Commerce Minister Zhong Shan met Indian Ambassador to China Nirupama Rao here on February 3 here on the issue.

Expressing "serious concern" over India's intensive trade probes, the ministry said it hopes to avoid substantial impacts on bilateral trade.

On January 23, India announced a six-month ban on all imports of Chinese-made toys.

The Indian commerce ministry has alerted the customs authorities to ensure that Chinese toys do not enter the Indian ports through a third-country route. Prohibition shall be applicable on all such toys that have originated from China, irrespective of the country of import. - PTI