BEIJING - China has approved the registration of 1,836 overseas milk producers including 64 baby formula makers at the end of last year, according to the country's quality watchdog on Friday.

China banned the imports of unregistered foreign dairy products last May with the aim to ensuring food safety.

The country's top accreditation watchdog will keep real-time supervision over registered foreign milk producers, conduct checks and punish those which violate food safety regulations.

China has seen growing demands for safe and high-quality milk products after a tainted baby formula scandal in 2008 dented society's confidence in domestic dairy food safety.