China 'regrets' WTO order on films and music
CHINA: China said Thursday it "regretted" a World Trade Organisation
decision ordering it to ease some of its curbs on foreign films, music
and print, warning that it might appeal.
The decision from the WTO settlement dispute panel Wednesday said
China was breaching international trade rules by blocking foreign-owned
companies from acting as importers and wholesalers of films, music and
printed material.
"China expresses regret that the panel did not reject the US
complaint about the import and distribution of printed material, films
and music," commerce ministry spokesman Yao Jian said in a statement.
"China will carefully evaluate the panel's report and does not rule
out appealing on issues of concern to the Chinese side," he said in the
statement.
The United States, which brought the complaint to the global trade
watchdog in 2007, claimed overall victory in the dispute, which also
affects Hollywood blockbusters.
"Today, a WTO panel handed a significant victory to America's
creative industries," said US Trade Representative Ron Kirk.
"These findings are an important step toward ensuring market access
for legitimate US products in the Chinese market, as well as ensuring
market access for US exporters and distributors of those products."
Beijing, Thursday, AFP |