The suspect, Chen Zhengping, was detained by police at Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province, central China, on September 15, and was sent to Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, under escort for questioning.

During the preliminary interrogation, Chen, who ran a snack barbefore the incident, confessed he poisoned the fried dough sticks,sesame cakes and glutinous rice prepared by Zhengwu Pastry Bar, a business rival in Tangshan township in rural Nanjing.

In a detailed confession, Chen said he used an extremely strongrat poison, which has been banned by the Chinese government.

Chen told police hatred for his business rival prompted him to poison the food.

The case is still under investigation, sources said.

Thirty eight people died despite all-out efforts by local hospitals to rescue them, and six others are still critical.

But the situation of most of the 200 victims is stable thanks to the joint efforts by local civil and military hospitals.

Leaders of the Chinese Communist Party and central government ordered an all-out effort to save the victims and resolve the caseat any cost.

With the help of experts sent by the Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Public Health, local police and medical workers worked around the clock to investigate and save those who were poisoned.

The sources said 11 hospitals in Nanjing, include military hospitals were ordered to use their best possible doctors and the best medicine and equipment available to save the lives of the victims.

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2002)