Fourteen Mexican nationals remain quarantined in China and one in Singapore due to fears created by the swine flu epidemic, the Mexican Foreign Ministry announced.

According to a ministry statement, 10 of those are held in hospitals in Shanghai, three in Guangzhou an one in Beijing.

The ministry added that all those quarantined knew of the Chinese measure "in advance of the trip".

Mexico and China have clashed since the outbreak of the A(H1N1) flu virus, which has killed 48 people in Mexico.

In response to the outbreak, China has barred direct flights from Mexico, quarantined dozens of Mexicans who have arrived in the country and banned imports of Mexican pork.

Mexico has advised its citizens not to travel to the country.

Earlier on Sunday, it also said it would not attend a global food industry event hosted by China later this month because of the Asian giant's "unacceptable" policies in the wake of the swine flu crisis.

The Mexican government said it would not attend the SIAL China food meet in Shanghai, which runs from 19 to 21 May.

"It is not the best time to guarantee our successful participation in this international event," said a statement from Mexico's trade promotion agency.

"The measures recently taken, as much by the organisers as the Chinese government, are unacceptable."

On Wednesday, Mexico used a chartered plane to repatriate 136 of its nationals from China after they had been thrown into involuntary isolation last week while visiting China.

AFP

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