The Foreign Ministry said in Beijing on Tuesday China was willing to enhance food safety cooperation with countries concerned, and was making further communication on specifics through bilateral channels.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao made the remarks in response to a question that the United States planned to open Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offices in three Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

The Chinese government attached great importance to the food safety issue, and does take substantial and forceful measures to tighten safety standards, including food exports, he told a regular press conference.

"We hold a positive attitude towards the cooperation with other countries on the food safety issue." He added how to conduct the cooperation still needed further communication from both sides.

China and the United States are contacting on it, and hope the two could find a solution acceptable for both, Liu said.

US Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said in a recent interview with Reuters his country hoped to open three FDA offices in China, two in Latin America and one in India by this autumn.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2008)