China's Ministry of Commerce on Monday showed "regret and discontent" over India's move to impose a safeguard duty on aluminium imports from China.

The MOC said in a statement on its website that the move "not only has a negative effect on bilateral trade, but also harms the interests of Indian enterprises."

The Indian Finance Ministry said in a statement on June 19 that the country would imposed a safeguard duty of as much as 30 percent on imported aluminium products from China.

The MOC said China hoped the Indian government would encourage a closer cooperation between companies from both sides, and adopt a prudent attitude towards bilateral trade measures.

(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2009)