China said Wednesday that it is blocking some imports of the agricultural product canola from Canada because of fears of insect infestation.
The move, which comes amid heightened tensions over Canada's arrest of a Chinese tech executive, is seen by some as a new tactic to seek leverage over Ottawa.
China suspended canola imports from a Canadian company "in accordance with laws and regulations and international practice," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a daily news briefing.
He cited "harmful organisms" that he did not identify further, and said China's government "needs to protect the health and safety of its own people."
"Upon verification, China customs has recently detected dangerous pests in canola imported from Canada many times."