Imported soybeans seen at a port in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu Province in August, 2018. Photo: IC

China's agriculture ministry has confirmed that the country continues to purchase US soybeans, denying earlier foreign media reports that Chinese officials had directed state-owned companies to halt imports of US soybeans and other agricultural goods amid escalating tensions.

"China is still buying US soybeans," the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday, noting that Chinese state-owned companies had purchased at least 180,000 tons of soybeans from the US on June 1 alone.

The newly purchased soybeans will be delivered during an "export peak season" for US soybeans in October and November, according to the ministry. 

The purchase of US soybeans has become a sensitive subject between China and the US, as Beijing committed to significantly increase imports of US soybeans under the phase one trade agreement signed in January.

Earlier this week, Reuters reported that the Chinese government was ordering state-owned companies to suspend purchases of soybeans in response to US officials' threats of sanctions on Hong Kong.