The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said Monday it would extend the anti-dumping investigation against wear resistant overlay, a critical component of laminate flooring, produced in the United States and the European Union, by six months till Dec. 13 this year.

A circular of the ministry put the complexity of the case as the only reason for the protraction, but didn't give any information on the current development of the case.

The investigation was launched on June 13 last year, and was originally planned to conclude on July 13 this year.

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2006)