Abstract: Scrutiny of the cause behind the political crisis triggered by South Korea lifting of US beef ban, can be of important revelation significance for China in that South Korean US beef ban agitation has provided us with experience regarding how to scientifically avert the entry of bovine spongiform encephalopathy(BSE; mad cow disease) into our country, as well as how to handle the lifting of beef import restriction. First, BSE has become a socioeconomic issue associated with the economic security and political stability of a State; secondly, BSE is a scientific issue, and any decision regarding international trade involving BSE should be based on science; thirdly, we should be vigilant against the US utilizing various diplomatic leverage to forcefully impose political means in resolving BSE trade dispute; fourthly, we should opportunely amend our disease control policy in line with updated BSE scientific evidence and international epidemiological situation, and thus put ourselves in an advantageous position in handling the lifting of beef ban, with an aim to maximize the safeguarding of national interest; fifthly, we should persist in the correct guidance of public opinion, disseminate scientific knowledge of BSE and augment public capacity to withstand psychological stress.

Key words: international trade dispute; political crisis; beef; food safety; public health; bovine spongiform encephalopathy; BSE