This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6286698.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| China official executed for graft | China official executed for graft |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The former head of China's State Food and Drug Administration, Zheng Xiaoyu, has been executed for corruption, the state-run Xinhua news agency reports. | The former head of China's State Food and Drug Administration, Zheng Xiaoyu, has been executed for corruption, the state-run Xinhua news agency reports. |
| He was convicted of taking 6.5m yuan ($850,000; £425,400) in bribes and of dereliction of duty at a trial in May. | |
| The bribes were linked to sub-standard medicines, blamed for several deaths. | The bribes were linked to sub-standard medicines, blamed for several deaths. |
| China has been criticised over a number of recent cases involving tainted goods, and correspondents say Zheng had become a symbol of the crisis. | China has been criticised over a number of recent cases involving tainted goods, and correspondents say Zheng had become a symbol of the crisis. |
| Zheng had appealed against his sentence, arguing that it was "too severe" and saying he had confessed his crimes and co-operated with police. | Zheng had appealed against his sentence, arguing that it was "too severe" and saying he had confessed his crimes and co-operated with police. |
| But his appeal, heard in mid-June, was rejected shortly afterwards. | But his appeal, heard in mid-June, was rejected shortly afterwards. |
| Toxic chemicals | Toxic chemicals |
| Following Zheng's sacking in 2005, the Chinese government announced an urgent review of about 170,000 medical licences that were awarded during his tenure at the agency. | Following Zheng's sacking in 2005, the Chinese government announced an urgent review of about 170,000 medical licences that were awarded during his tenure at the agency. |
| At a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday the State Food and Drug agency said that its supervision of safety was unsatisfactory, and it vowed to improve matters. | At a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday the State Food and Drug agency said that its supervision of safety was unsatisfactory, and it vowed to improve matters. |
| A senior official said Zheng Xiaoyu had "brought shame" on the department, adding that anyone abusing their power would be punished. | A senior official said Zheng Xiaoyu had "brought shame" on the department, adding that anyone abusing their power would be punished. |
| CHINESE FOOD SCARES May 2007 China probes reports that contaminated toothpaste was sent to Central AmericaMarch 2007 Melamine is found in wheat gluten exports from China for use in pet food, prompting a recall of at least 100 pet food brands Nov 2006 A dye farmers fed to ducks to make their eggs look fresher is found to contain cancer-causing properties and 5,000 ducks are culled August 2006 About 40 people in Beijing contract meningitis after eating partially cooked snails at a chain of restaurants | CHINESE FOOD SCARES May 2007 China probes reports that contaminated toothpaste was sent to Central AmericaMarch 2007 Melamine is found in wheat gluten exports from China for use in pet food, prompting a recall of at least 100 pet food brands Nov 2006 A dye farmers fed to ducks to make their eggs look fresher is found to contain cancer-causing properties and 5,000 ducks are culled August 2006 About 40 people in Beijing contract meningitis after eating partially cooked snails at a chain of restaurants |
| Chinese officials have already acknowledged that the country could face social unrest and a further tarnished image abroad unless improvements are made. | Chinese officials have already acknowledged that the country could face social unrest and a further tarnished image abroad unless improvements are made. |
| Dozens of people have died in China because of poor quality or fake food and drugs, sparking widespread international fears about the safety of Chinese exports. | Dozens of people have died in China because of poor quality or fake food and drugs, sparking widespread international fears about the safety of Chinese exports. |
| Thirteen babies died of malnutrition in 2005 after being fed powdered milk that had no nutritional value. | Thirteen babies died of malnutrition in 2005 after being fed powdered milk that had no nutritional value. |
| US inspectors have blamed exported Chinese pet food ingredients, contaminated with melamine, for the deaths of cats and dogs in North America. | US inspectors have blamed exported Chinese pet food ingredients, contaminated with melamine, for the deaths of cats and dogs in North America. |
| And they recently halted shipments of toothpaste from China to investigate reports that they may be contaminated with toxic chemicals. | And they recently halted shipments of toothpaste from China to investigate reports that they may be contaminated with toxic chemicals. |
| The BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Beijing says the government is hoping that this execution will show it is getting to grips with the crisis. | The BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Beijing says the government is hoping that this execution will show it is getting to grips with the crisis. |
| But food and drug safety standards vary widely across this vast country and reform is going to be a major challenge, he says. | But food and drug safety standards vary widely across this vast country and reform is going to be a major challenge, he says. |