WTO expert group to investigate China's restrictions on exports of raw materials

Geneva, December 21 (Xinhua) World Trade Organization 21st decided to set up a group of experts to investigate the U.S., EU and Mexico accused China of restricting the export of raw materials case. At a meeting held on the day of the WTO dispute Settlement Body, the Chinese delegation noted that China had made a clear explanation on the relevant measures for the export of raw materials and was willing to continue to solve the problem through dialogue, but the Chinese side was disappointed that the three sides had insisted on setting up an expert group on the case.　　However, since the establishment of the Expert Group has become inevitable, China looks forward to defending its rights and interests before the Group of Experts. At the meeting, the Chinese delegation also pointed out that the three sides of the United States and Europe in order to request the establishment of the Expert Group, the specific statement of the existence of a problem, does not conform to the provisions of the WTO documents, so that the ability to prepare the Chinese defense is undermined.　　To this end, China has asked the WTO dispute settlement body to decide whether the relevant statements of the three sides of the United States and Europe are in compliance with the regulations. On June 23 This year, the United States and the European Union filed a complaint with China over China's restrictions on exports of raw materials to the WTO, calling for negotiations under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism. Mexico August 21 also submitted a request for consultations.　　The three sides blamed China for export restrictions on raw materials used in the production of steel, aluminium and chemical products, thereby pushing up the price of raw materials in the international market and making Chinese companies "unfairly superior" in international competition. In accordance with the relevant procedures, China and the United States and Europe and Mexico, respectively, in July and September on the issue of raw materials exports held two rounds of constructive consultations, China in the consultations on the relevant export control measures were clarified, and indicated that the main purpose of these measures is to protect the environment and natural resources. During the consultations, the Chinese side also expressed its willingness to continue to communicate with the three parties to solve the problem.　　China has also exaggerated that it has always respected and complied with WTO rules and its own commitments, and China believes its export measures are consistent with WTO principles and rules.　　However, in view of the failure to find a common solution through consultations, the three sides of the United States and Europe on November 19 for the first time to establish a WTO expert group request, but this request by the Chinese side in accordance with the relevant procedures to reject. The WTO Expert Group is usually composed of 3 experts of different nationalities, and the appointment of experts generally takes 45 days, and it takes at least six months for the expert group to make a final decision on the dispute.