New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra has rejected claims that the former head of its Chinese joint venture pleaded guilty to charges related to the tainted milk scandal.
New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra has rejected claims that the former head of its Chinese joint venture pleaded guilty to charges related to the tainted milk scandal.
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Tian Wenhua, former general manager of Sanlu Group, had "absolutely and unequivocally" pleaded not guilty in a Chinese court to the charges, said a Fonterra spokesman.
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According to China's state media, Tian, who faces a death sentence if convicted, this week pleaded guilty to selling dodgy products and admitted she delayed reporting the danger.
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She and three other company officials stood trial in Shijiazhuang over a scandal that killed six children, sickened nearly 3,00,000 and prompted a worldwide recall of goods containing Chinese milk.
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The verdicts have yet to be delivered, but Fonterra chief executive Andrew Ferrier said he would be saddened if Tian were convicted, let alone executed. "She seemed to live and breathe Sanlu," said Ferrier said. "She only wanted the best for Sanlu and it would be very sad if she's found guilty of any crimes."
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Chinese authorities have made no attempt to press charges against Fonterra. Even so, Ferrier said Fonterra wanted the Sanlu affair resolved before it would re-invest in China.
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