The fire at the facility in Jilin province came as American regulators and consumers begin to scrutinize a bid by Chinese food company Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd. to buy U.S. pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc.

WSJ: Poultry-Plant Fire in China Kills More Than 100

It could also focus renewed scrutiny on China's biggest pork producer, Shuanghui International unrelated to the poultry plant as it aims to buy U.S. food giant Smithfield in what would be China's biggest takeover of an American company.

NPR: Fire Kills 119 At Poultry Plant In Northeast China

Many of the Chinese companies involved are privately held, like Shuanghui, as opposed to the big state-owned enterprises that often act on behalf of Beijing on the international stage.

WSJ: 'China's No. 1 Butcher' Turns to U.S.