More than 600 Chinese toy makers have had their export licenses revoked to ensure product quality, the State Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) announced on Monday.

"We have thoroughly inspected all 3,000-plus toy makers for export during the rectification work that began last August," said AQSIQ Deputy Director Pu Changcheng at a press conference in Beijing.

In response to food and toy scares, China launched a four-month crackdown on product safety, particularly toys and foodstuffs.

"We have also set a complete quality test system. All toys, even those that are made based on designs and standards by importers, are subjected to safety checks," he told reporters.

The government also brought together toy makers to brush up on their knowledge of international product standards and safety awareness.

"The overall quality of Chinese-made toys will be further improved and safety will be fully guaranteed," said the official.

China is the world's biggest toy exporter. In 2006, it sold around 22 billion toy items overseas, about 60 percent of the global total.

(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2008)