中国网站品牌栏目（频道）
Two farmers have been held responsible for intentionally tainting milk that killed three children and sickened 36 others in Pingliang, Northwest China's Gansu province, a government official said on Monday.
Wu Zhentu, secretary-general of the city government, said in a press conference that the two, surnamed Wu and Ma, were arrested for allegedly committing the crime.
More than 80 law enforcement officials participated in the investigation, according to Wu.
As of Monday noon, 31 of the 36 injured victims have recovered and been discharged from hospital, while the other five are in stable condition but remain under observation, the secretary-general said, adding the city government will fully cover victims' medical expenses.
An official from the city government, who asked to remain anonymous, told China Daily over the phone before the conference that police had arrested two suspects who confessed to the crime and explained their motivation. The official refused to disclose further details.
Ma Wenxuan, a local dairy farmer in his 40s, who supplied the nitrite-tainted milk to the victims, had earlier been reported arrested.
However, the conference did not reveal that the farmer named Ma was related to the crime. A head of the local village committee where the incident occurred told the Shanghai Morning Post that Ma had maintained a good reputation in his neighborhood for years.
The report also said police have suspended the operations of two local dairy plants that may be involved in the case.
High concentrations of nitrite were found in samples of the farms' milk and victims' vomit, said Zhu Lemin, deputy chief of a branch of Pingliang public security bureau, on Sunday. Nitrite is a chemical used to make dyes and to preserve meat, but excessive intake will harm human's health and possibly cause death.
Questions:
1. How many children died?
2. How many of the 36 injured victims as of Monday noon were still in hospital?
3. How many law enforcement officers participated in the investigation?
Answers:
1. 3.
2. 5.
3. 80.
（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.
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