China suspends beef imports from Brazil

China's Ministry of Commerce spokesman Sun Jiwen speaks during a news conference in Beijing on Thursday, March 23, 2017. [Photo: China Plus]

China's Ministry of Commerce confirmed on Thursday that beef imports from Brazil have been suspended.

The ministry spokesman Sun Jiwen said the Chinese authorities have taken temporary measures to stop the beef imports amid a scandal over Brazil's meat processing industry.

Sun said China hopes the Brazilian government will look deeply into the meat quality problem, severely punish the violators, update China on the latest developments in a timely fashion, and take effective measures to ensure the safety of beef exported to China.

China is Brazil's largest export market for its meat products.