China appeals WTO ruling on audiovisual products, books

China lodged an appeal Tuesday against a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel ruling that claims its regulations on the import and distribution of books and audiovisual products are not in compliance with world trade rules.

The WTO's seven-member Appellate Body will now have two to three months to reinvestigate the US-China dispute, and it can uphold, modify or reverse the panel ruling, which was issued last month, the Chinese mission to the world trade body said.

The US brought the case to the global trade watchdog in April 2007, saying that China was not providing enough access for imports of publications and audiovisual products. The case involves publications such as books and newspapers, audio and video products such as CDs, DVDs, games and music downloading services.

WTO expert panel issued its ruling August 12, largely upholding the US allegations, and called on China to revise its import regulations so as to bring them in line with WTO rules.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce had expressed regret, saying, "China has always fulfilled its obligations on market access for publications, and the channels for foreign publications, films and audiovisual products entering the Chinese market are extremely open."

Xinhua

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