The Chinese Ministry of Commerce expressed "deep concern" over India's intensive trade investigations into and import restriction on Chinese products.

On Feb. 9 the Ministry announced a statement by its spokesman Yao Jian that Zhong Shan, Vice Commerce Minister, has expressed China's concern to Indian Ambassador to China Nirupama Rao in a recent meeting held on China's request.

Mr. Zhong told Ms. Rao that China hopes to dismiss the trade disputes through communication and exchanges between governments and industries from the two countries.

"China and India are both large developing nations which face the task of economic development," said Yao, "the bilateral trade --- China's imports from India in particular --- achieved significant growth in recent years." Given that, he noted, the two sides should realize common development and mutual benefit by strengthening consultations and promoting industrial cooperation.

At the G20 Summit in Washington and the APEC Summit in Peru in November 2008 world leaders have reiterated their commitments on opposition against trade protectionism. China hopes that India adopt cautious and restrained attitude in its decision of imposing trade remedy measures in the challenging time of the world economy. "The bilateral economic and trade relations will otherwise be affected seriously," warned Yao.

India has launched 17 investigations into Chinese products since October 2008, including 10 anti-dumping probes, one countervailing case and six cases of safeguard measures. The actions involve 1.5 billion USD Chinese exports to India, such as Penicillin-G, hot rolled steel, front axle beam and steering knuckles for heavy and medium commercial vehicles and tyres, etc.

In addition, India has imposed import restrictions on Chinese products like iron and steel, chemicals and textiles. On Jan.23, 2009, India announced a six-month ban on toy imports from China.

India is China's tenth largest trading partner. In 2008, the bilateral trade reached nearly 51.78 billion USD. The 34 percent growth is 21.5 percentage points lower than the previous year.