While the FDA is pushing to establish a presence in China, SFDA spokeswoman Yan Jiangying said on 20th March that neither Chinese authorities nor the FDA had contacted them about the presence of hypersulfated chondroitin sulfate in exported heparin products.

"There are set procedures, and the FDA might first apply to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs," she said.

The FDA planned to establish eight full-time, permanent positions at US diplomatic posts in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, pending authorization from the Chinese government, a March 14 notice on its website said.

Intended to improve information exchange and cooperation, the move is a significant step toward ensuring access to safe food, drugs and medical devices in the global market, the statement said.

"There is a very real interest in pursuing this, and obviously the spotlight has been on China ... but this is not just a China issue," FDA Deputy Commissioner for International and Special Programs Murray Lumpkin said in December.