China criticizes US investigations into shrimp

On Wednesday, China's Ministry of Commerce criticized US investigations into Chinese shrimp exports, saying the investigation is a violation of WTO rules.

A ministry spokesman said US is classifying China as a non-market economy, and there is no good evidence to justify the investigation. The U.S. Coalition of Gulf Shrimp Industries alleged that producers and exporters in China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam have received financial assistance from their governments.

The US International Trade Commission has launched investigations to determine whether this is true and what duties should be imposed in response. Chinese exporter Guolian Aquatic has engaged a panel of lawyers to challenge the investigations.