China on Wednesday formally launched anti- dumping investigation of Methylene Chloride imports from Britain, the United States, Netherlands, France, Germany and South Korea, the state media reported. Companies from the six countries have exported products containing Carrene, an organic chemical, to China in 1999 or between January and the end of November 2000 have been asked by the Ministry Of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC) to respond to the charge in 30 days, 'china Daily' reported. According to china's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy articles, on Wednesday MOFTEC together with China's general administration of customs will make an investigation of Methylene Chloride imports from the above-mentioned countries in terms of dumping and its extent, the notice said. “In addition, China's state economic and trade commission along with relevant departments of the state council, will find out how much damage has been done to domestic industries by such commodities,” Xinhua News Agency said.
“The investigation will end within a year. If specific circumstances demands it may renew in six months,” it said. MOFTEC has so far slapped six anti-dumping charges against foreign producers. The other five involved newsprint, cold-rolled silicon steel sheet, polyester film, cold-rolled stainless steel sheet and acrylic polyester. Bureau Report