China's recent strict checks for an unapproved genetically modified (GMO) strain in US corn cargoes have not interrupted shipments of US dried distillers grains (DDG), a byproduct of corn-based ethanol, an official think tank said Tuesday.

China's imports of US DDG have remained robust and are likely to hit a record high in the current marketing year, the China National Grain and Oils Information Centre said in a report.

Traders told Reuters they have not heard of any DDG shipments being rejected. China over the past month has rejected more than half a million tons of US corn after detecting the unapproved GMO.