BEIJING - China rejected 601,000 tons of unapproved genetically modified corn imports in 2013, according to the country's quality watchdog.

Last year the authorities seized imports containing 4,509 kinds of harmful organisms and effectively controlled the spread of plague among rats in Xinjiang, said Zhi Shuping, director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, on Monday.

He added that the country recalled a record 5.3 million defective automobiles in 2013 in efforts to better manage recalls of defective products.

In its move to expedite cargo clearance, the country's quality watchdog waived about 6 billion yuan ($983.6 million) in inspection and quarantine fees, and helped Chinese exporters gain tariff concessions of $7.2 billion, said Zhi.

The director pledged continued efforts to supervise key consumer goods such as children's products and special equipment, including elevators and recreation facilities.