But mainland China's trade authorities defended the curbs, saying they were meant to protect the environment and comply with WTO rules. "They are part of the comprehensive measures to strengthen the protection of the ecological environment and are in line with WTO rules," it said. It added mainland China "regrets" the EU action and will handle the case following the WTO's dispute settlement procedures. Export curbs 'in line with WTO rules': mainland ChinaBEIJING -- China insisted its controls over some raw materials exports were legal, after the European Union followed the United States to take it to the World Trade Organization over the restrictions. In a similar filing last week, the U.S. alleged mainland China failed to live up to a commitment made when it joined the WTO in 2001 to eliminate such export duties.

Source: The China Post July 20, 2016 17:48 UTC