China denied discriminating against Mexicans with its strict flu-control measures, but quarantined travellers from Mexico questioned aggressive Chinese steps that have caused a diplomatic spat.

swine flu pandemic china denies discrimination on mexico 040509 05 "The relevant measures are not directed at Mexican citizens and are not discriminatory," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu said in a statement posted on the ministry's website.

The statement came a day after Mexican diplomats complained bitterly to China, saying their countrymen had been placed under a seven-day quarantine despite showing no signs of swine flu.

The H1N1 virus, or swine flu, epidemic has killed a reported 23 people worldwide, 22 of those in Mexico, where the virus is believed to have originated.

70 Mexicans quarantined

A Mexican embassy official told AFP on Monday there were nearly 70 Mexicans quarantined across China, including in Beijing, Shanghai and the southern city of Guangzhou.

Some had travelled to China aboard the same flight that carried an infected Mexican man - Asia's first confirmed swine flu case - who is now in a Hong Kong hospital.

But others arrived on planes from the United States and were quarantined merely for being Mexican, according to the embassy.

swine flu pandemic china denies discrimination on mexico 040509 01 Myrna Elisa Berlanga, 31, a Mexican tourist who arrived in China on Saturday, questioned why she was being quarantined since no one on her flight from the United States had the virus.

"Right now we are tired of being confined, not knowing what will happen with us," she told AFP by phone from the hotel near Beijing's airport where she and nine other Mexicans are being isolated.

"In my case, it's not the same. Nobody was infected on our plane, so I'm wondering why I have to stay seven days in quarantine."

Berlanga did not complain about conditions at the hotel but said they were forced to wait, unable to communicate with the Chinese staff who regularly checked their temperatures.

Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa has called China's actions "unjustified" and warned Mexicans against visiting China.

Be objective and calm

China's statement, however, called for Mexico to be "objective and calm."

"China understands the Mexican side's concern for the rights and interests of its citizens in China and hopes Mexico can proceed from the overall standpoint of jointly addressing the epidemic situation," it said.

Mexican Ambassador to China Jorge Guajardo complained to AFP on Sunday about the situation.

swine flu pandemic china denies discrimination on mexico 040509 03 "The only country that we are aware where (Mexican travellers) are being held in isolation is here in China, and that is something that concerns us very much," he said, shortly after Chinese officials denied him access to the quarantined Mexicans.

Mexican embassy officials in China declined comment to AFP on Monday.

Separately, a spokesman for China Southern Airlines told AFP the carrier had cancelled a charter flight that was to have fetched about 120 stranded Chinese citizens in Mexico.

However, he could not confirm whether Mexican anger over the quarantines was behind the cancellation.

"The cancellation was instructed by high-level (Chinese) officials," said the spokesman, who spoke on condition of anonymity.