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China appeals WTO rulingon imports

GENEVA - China appealed at the last minute yesterday against a World Trade Organisation ruling upholding parts of a US complaint about Chinese restrictions on imports of films, books and other audio-visual material.

GENEVA - China appealed at the last minute yesterday against a World Trade Organisation ruling upholding parts of a US complaint about Chinese restrictions on imports of films, books and other audio-visual material.

The move showed that China was continuing to pursue litigation against the United States on a range of trade issues, where relations have been soured by President Barack Obama's imposition on September 11 of tariffs on imports of cheap Chinese tyres.

But it also showed that China was keen to play within the rules of the international trading system rather than pursuing a damaging trade war.

"China is appealing the panel ruling," an official at China's WTO mission said.

A WTO dispute panel found on August 12 that China's regime for importing and distributing audio-visual material brokeinternational trade rules.

Beijing made clear from the start that it was considering challenging the finding, and yesterday's move also demonstrated its interest in building up experience in using international trade law to defend its interests.

The WTO cancelled a session of its dispute settlement body, at which the sole item on the agenda was the adoption of the panel report. - Reuters

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