Beijing will defend lawful economic interests

The Ministry of Commerce expressed its strong discontent on Monday with the United States' move to initiate a 301 investigation against China, arguing the US neglected World Trade Organization rules and imposed unilateral acts and unfair trade protectionism.

China will take all the appropriate measures to defend the country's lawful interests, and the US should respect the facts and act in a prudent manner, the ministry said in an official statement.

It is irresponsible and groundless to launch the investigation examining China's intellectual property policies and practices under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, particularly under current global economic setting, the ministry said.