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"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, most recently by US toy giant Mattel.

"The Chinese government steadfastly opposes these actions by irresponsible

people."

Wang did not specify who "irresponsible people" referred to, but a top US

senator on Tuesday added his name to growing calls for stricter US supervision

of all Chinese-made imports.

Senator Dick Durbin called for the inspection of all Chinese toys imported into the

United States, following the recall by Mattel of 18 million Chinese-made products

worldwide.

"We can't wait any longer for China to crack down on its lax safety standards,"

Durbin said. "This needs to stop now before more children and more families are

put at risk."

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.

Wang said China was aware of the sensitivities of dangerous toys.

"Because toys can affect the health of children, the Chinese government attaches

great importance to the quality of those products. But the media saying that all

Chinese products are bad, this is a shame," he said.

Dangerous "made-in-China" products hit the global headlines again with Mattel's

recall of Barbie dolls, Batman action figures and other toys amid fears they

contained toxic lead paint or magnets that could prove dangerous.

The recall was the latest in a long line of Chinese export safety scares in recent

months that have led to increasing anger and concern in the United States and

elsewhere.

But Wang said China alone should not bear the blame for such incidents,

implying companies such as Mattel must watch their own product quality.

"There must be close attention to quality at all levels, not only manufacturers,

but also by those who import and sell the toys," he said.

Mattel subsidiary Fisher-Price this month recalled nearly one million Chinese-

made toys, including Sesame Street characters, that were decorated with lead-

based paint due to the actions of Mattel's Chinese contract manufacturers.

Unsafe tyres, animal-killer pet food, toxic toothpaste and food exports laced with

dangerously high levels of antibiotics are just some of the other items to have

tarnished the "Made in China" label of late.

Despite hitting out at the media, Wang echoed comments by China's product

quality watchdog that the nation would strive to improve its safety procedures

and take strict action against manufacturers producing dangerous goods.

Story/photo Agence France-Presse

Vocabulary

to hit out, v: to attack (often only verbally)

irresponsible, adj: not thinking carefully enough or caring about the results one's

actions might have

to recall, v: to tell customers and shops to return a certain product because it

has problems or is dangerous

steadfastly, adv: continuing all the time with the same intensity and effort

to crack down, v: to make a strong effort to stop people from doing something

bad or illegal

vast, adj: great; large

scare, n: something that makes one afraid

to bear the blame, expression: to be held responsible for a bad deed or event

contract manufacturer, n: company that produces goods on order from another

company

to tarnish, v: to make something, or someone's reputation, look bad

Questions

1. What is the "small problem" the Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman

refers to?

a. dangerous products

b. delays in production

c. unstable government

d. high levels of pollution

2. What products are causing the most concern?

a. toys

b. cars

c. stationery

d. machinery

3. How many items did Mattel recall?

a. 1,900

b. 25,000

c. 1,000,000

d. 18,000,000

4. According to Wang, who amongst others is responsible for the quality of

products?

a. users

b. importers

c. consumers

d. purchasers

5. What does China call people who complain about Chinese products?

a. concerned

b. considerate

c. irresponsible

d. conscientious

Synonyms

Which of the following words or phrases replace the ones from the passage best?

1. various

a. many

b. unique

c. famous

d. isolated

2. lax

a. severe

b. serious

c. careless

d. stringent

3. risk

a. profit

b. danger

c. progress

d. advantage

4. toxic

a. glowing

b. colourful

c. poisonous

d. fluorescent

5. echo

a. follow

b. repeat

c. demand

d. originate

Answers

Questions   1. a, 2. a, 3. d, 4. b, 5. c

Synonyms   1. a, 2.c, 3. b, 4. c, 5. b

by Ajarn Horst Baelz