China said yesterday it will challenge a World Trade Organization ruling against its regulations on imported films, books and audio-visual products.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce said China will appeal against the WTO panel's ruling, which upheld key parts of a US complaint about China's regulations on cultural products, which Washington says hurt publishers, Hollywood and entertainment multinationals.

"We think it was improper for the WTO not to reject the US request," the spokesman, Yao Jian, told a news conference in Beijing.

"Based on the WTO schedule, we are preparing the documents necessary to lodge an appeal."

(Shanghai Daily August 18, 2009)