Unidentified Seeds from China Spark Controversy in the US: "Do Not Plant"

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 28th that mysterious packages, suspected to have been sent from China, are causing controversy across the United States.

According to SCMP, recently residents in at least nine U.S. states including Kentucky, Virginia, Utah, Washington, Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas have received mysterious packages delivered from China.

The exterior of the packages indicated that the contents were jewelry, toys, etc., but when residents opened the packages, they found unidentified seeds inside.

A resident living in Texas received a package from Suzhou, China, which was labeled "necklace" on the outside, but upon opening it, found seeds inside. He posted photos of this on Facebook.

A resident in Ohio also reported that after opening a package from Suzhou, China, they found seeds that looked like sunflower seeds.

Agricultural authorities in each state have requested that residents who received seeds in packages from China report them to the authorities and refrain from planting the seeds as their identity remains unclear.

Photos released by some state authorities show that the package exterior is marked with "China Post" (China Post).

However, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing that "According to China Post's verification, the information on the envelope was forged."

He explained that plant seeds are prohibited items under the Universal Postal Union regulations and that China Post strictly complies with this. He added that China Post will receive the packages from the U.S. side and conduct an investigation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.