Key issues

1. Why has the investigation taken so long?

Because it involves cross-border judicial cooperation, according to prosecutors.

2. What was the suspect's motive?

Lyu Yueting argues that he poisoned the dumplings to bring the management's attention to his request for a pay raise and he did not intend to harm anyone. Prosecutors reject the argument as “nonsense”.

3. Did Lyu foresee the serious consequences?

Lyu says he diluted pesticide with drinking water. Prosecutors say that does not make any difference.

4. What was Lyu's attitude afterwards?

Lyu said he wrote three anonymous letters to his manager to warn him about toxic food after he poisoned the dumplings. Prosecutors say that Lyu named two of his colleagues as culprits in the letters, which they say misled the investigation.

CHINA DAILY

Timeline

• 2008

Jan 30: NHK TV reports that nine people from three families in Japan have symptoms of poisoning after eating frozen dumplings made by a food factory in Hebei province, China.

Jan 31: Chinese government team starts investigation at Tianyang Food Plant in Hebei. Then-Japanese foreign minister Masahiko Komura raises issue with China.

Feb 3: Chinese investigation team goes to Japan to retrieve dumplings for testing.

Feb 10: Testing by Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine finds no methamidophos and dichlorphos, two chemicals that Japanese media say caused the poisoning.

Feb 5 and 6: Team of four Japanese officials conducts inspection at Tianyang plant and finds nothing abnormal.

• 2010

March: Chinese police say that worker Lyu Yueting poisoned the dumplings after disputes with his employer.

August: Lyu charged with "deploying poisonous substances" in food.

• 2013

July 30: Lyu stands trial at court in Shijiazhuang, provincial capital of Hebei.

CHINA DAILY