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China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Thursday it will cooperate with other departments and maintain close contact with concerned countries to ensure the quality of imported food and agricultural products at the source, to protect the health and safety of Chinese consumers.

On whether China will temporarily prohibit the cold-chain transported seafood from countries severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gao Feng, a spokesperson of the MOC, said increasing imports of food and agricultural products is an important part of China's import policy.

Gao also stressed that the food and agricultural products imported must meet Chinese regulations on inspection and quarantine.

(Compiled by Mei Yibo)