China to handle barley tariffs with Australia under WTO rules

China on Thursday expressed regret over Australia's appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on China's barley tariffs, the commerce ministry said, adding that it will proceed according to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.

China has received Australia's appeal launched on Wednesday seeking a review of its decision to impose anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on imports of Australian barley, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) Spokesperson Gao Feng said on Thursday.

According to the application of the Chinese domestic industry, MOFCOM initiated anti-dumping and countervailing investigations against imported barley from Australia and took corresponding trade remedy measures in accordance with the law.

Australia's discriminatory practices against Chinese companies are not in line with the principles of market and trade rules. China hopes the Australian government will take its concerns seriously and take correct actions, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Thursday.