JINAN, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,195 head of live beef cattle arrived in east China's Shandong Province Monday, the first batch of imported sea-borne beef cattle to the country.
The cattle were imported from Australia to the port of Shidao in Weihai city. They will be quarantined before being slaughtered within 14 days, according to the Shandong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.
China has imported live cattle for breeding purpose as well as dairy cows, but the meat from foreign countries was mostly frozen.
China and Australia signed a deal in 2014 that involved shipping 1 million head of Australian cattle to China each year, which is expected to bring a business boom to Australia's farming sector while meeting China's demand for high-quality beef.
The first batch of 150 head of cattle were sent to southwest China's Chongqing by air in October, 2015. Sea cargo transportation is much cheaper.
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