China accuses media of hyping toy safety problems

BEIJING (AFP) - China on Thursday hit out at the foreign press and other "irresponsible people" for hyping up fears about Chinese-made toys and other exports that have been recalled due to safety concerns.

"Some media and irresponsible people take a small problem and make it into a large one," Commerce Ministry spokesman Wang Xinpei told reporters when asked about various recalls, including the one this week by US toy giant Mattel.

"The Chinese government steadfastly opposes these actions by irresponsible people."

Wang said it was natural there would be some safety problems as Chinese exports were rising dramatically every year, but he emphasised that the vast majority of made-in-China products sold overseas were of high quality.