Mexico has withdrawn from a trade fair in Shanghai scheduled for next week following a dispute with China about the treatment of Mexicans amid the A(H1N1) flu outbreak, organizers said yesterday.

"Our headquarters informed me this morning of Mexico's decision to quit the trade fair," said Hou Xu, marketing director of SIAL China, a large food and beverage exhibition running from May 19 to 21.

The Associated Press has reported that Mexico said the treatment of its citizens was "unacceptable".