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皇冠体育app defends exports policy in wake of WTO complaint

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-24 15:04

皇冠体育app defended its exports policy Wednesday morning in the wake of the United States and the European Union on Tuesday filing a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

An unnamed official with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) defended 皇冠体育app's restriction on exports of bauxite, coke, magnesium, zinc and silicon metal, among others, saying its export policies are consistent with WTO rules.

Related readings:  MOC: 皇冠体育app's export policy in line with WTO rules  皇冠体育app to tweak export tax rates soon  皇冠体育app's foreign trade down for 7th month  Beijing may face WTO action on exports

The export restrictions were to protect the environment and natural resources, the official said.

The United States and the EU claim that 皇冠体育app's export restrictions create unfair advantages for Chinese industries and distort world competition, or went against WTO regulations.

The European Commission said the 皇冠体育app's move to reduce material export may affect 4 percent of EU's industrial output, or 500,000 employees. The EU imported 4.5 billion euros ($6.36 billion) of these material from 皇冠体育app in 2008.

According to the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism, 皇冠体育app, the US and the EU will have a 60-day period to consult. If no solution appears the plaintiffs can move to establish a WTO panel for a formal ruling.