Unfair to call test kits faulty, says China

Committed to assisting India in fight against pandemic, embassy says

29/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

It is irresponsible to term Chinese products “faulty”, a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy here said after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) asked the States to stop using the rapid antibody test kits and return them to manufacturers in China.

“We are deeply concerned with the evaluation results and the decision made by Indian Council of Medical Research. China attaches great importance to the quality of exported medical products. The Chinese Embassy maintained a close contact with ICMR and the two Chinese companies to find out the real situation,” said Ji Rong, Counsellor and spokesperson of the embassy.

The official said China was committed to assisting India in the fight against the pandemic, and reminded the test kits were sent to India after the ICMR and the National Institute of Virology approved them.

“It is unfair and irresponsible of certain individuals to label Chinese products “faulty” and look at issues with pre-emptive prejudice,” the spokesperson said.

The Hindu reported on April 28 that despite the decision of ICMR to return the test kits, India remains on track to import more medical goods in the coming days.