Covid rapid antibody test kits row: China hits out at 'individuals' in ICMR

Explaining why it was defending two private companies, the Chinese government said many countries had been buying medical equipment from the Chinese markets via commercial channels

A Sino-Indian diplomatic row has broken out over the quality of the rapid antibody test kits exported to India by China, following their sub-par performance in detecting the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

The Chinese government has said criticism of the testing kits was “not based on facts” and has charged that it was “unfair and irresponsible for certain individuals to label Chinese products as ‘faulty’ and look at issues with preemptive prejudice”.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had on April 27 asked state governments not to use the rapid antibody test kits procured from two Chinese companies (Guangzhou Wondfo