Antidumping is only a defensive measure allowed by the World Trade Organization (WTO) which advocates market opening and free competition, said Long Yongtu, vice-minister of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC).

Long made the remarks at an international antidumping forum sponsored by the University of International Business and Economics.

The WTO is exerting a stronger binding force among WTO members which may take antidumping measures in an effort to avoid the misuse of such measures, Long said, stressing the importance of an effective warning mechanism set up by Chinese enterprises.

MOFTEC Import and Export Fair Trade Bureau Director Wang Shichun said current international antidumping investigations mainly focus on labor-intensive areas such as chemical industry and agriculture.

Most antidumping investigations against China came from the United States, European Union, India and Argentina, Wang said, noting intergovernmental exchanges and consultations need to enhance trust and reduce suspect.

MOFTEC Treaty and Law Department Director Zhang Yuqing said before 1985, no developing countries had enacted any laws on antidumping. The establishment of WTO sped up relevant legislation.

As the force of traditional tariff and non-tariff barriers decreases, some countries tend to abuse antidumping measures, he said, calling on Chinese companies to actively respond to such cases.

MOFTEC figures show in the first ten months this year, international antidumping and protection cases against China decreased 20 percent to 47 cases from the same period last year.

(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2002)