Beijing: China on March 6 initiated the first-ever anti-dumping case against a product (phthalic anhydride) from India.

According to an announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co- operation, it would also investigate against phthalic anhydride imports from Japan and South Korea.

Chinese ministry and customs will carry out probe into the case in line with rules on anti-dumping. At the same time the State Economic and Trade Commission and other authorities of the state council will look into any damage to country's industries caused by the dumping.

The investigation is expected to end within a year, but may be extended to 18 months under special circumstances, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Indian exports of the chemical amounted to $ 203.115 million in 2001.

According to official statistics, over 30 countries, including India have initiated 477 anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and protective measures investigations against more than 4,000 categories of Chinese products.

India has launched over 50 anti-dumping investigations against China in the past. However, Beijing has denied New Delhi's charge that it was dumping goods in India.

Reacting to anti-dumping case against India, an official source said that he was not “surprised” and considered it as a “test case”.

PTI