China said on Tuesday it had asked its toy manufacturers to check the designs provided by foreign buyers for flaws that may lead to quality or safety problems.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks when responding to questions on how China would ensure the safety of its toys ahead of the Christmas season.

Qin said some Chinese toy factories made the toys according to the design and orders provided by foreign companies, and tests on some flawed toys show that they were caused by bad designs.

"We require Chinese toy-makers to not only pay attention to the manufacturing process, but also to check strictly for foreign companies' design failures," he said,

"Chinese toy-makers should not accept orders with bad designs from foreign companies nor produce them."

Qin said the Chinese government attached great importance to the safety of toy products.

"We consistently request toy manufacturers to take strict control over the products' quality and to enhance supervision and inspection of the entire process of production."

He said quality supervision and inspection departments were also continuing intensify the quality controls over toy products, which was aimed at stopping flawed toy products from export.

Noting that the Christmas season was coming, he said, "I wish children around the world a safe and happy Christmas and I hope Chinese-made toys will bring them joy."

(Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2008)