On July 31, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCTA) ruled that since the replacement windshield industry in China was operating under market economy conditions, the calculation of dumping margins would be based on the price of the goods on the Chinese market.

According to the verdict, CCTA will levy no weighted average tariffs to the three Guangdong-based companies, Shenzhen Benxun Automotive Glass Co. Ltd, Xinyi Automotive Glass (Shenzhen) Company of Henggang Town, and Dongguan Kongwan Automobile Glass Ltd. of Dongguan.

CCTA will only impose a weighted average tariff rate of 24.09 percent on the Fujian Fuyao Glass Industry Group Ltd.

The complaint was lodged by PPG Canada Inc, Toronto, a major windshield producer in Canada last December. The case was one of the largest anti-dumping charges by Canada with a total export of 30 million US dollars involved.

The company alleged that the dumped imports of automotive laminated windshields for the automotive replacement market of all sizes and shapes exported or originating from China were causing injury to domestic producers.

CCRA initiated an investigation into dumping charge on May 8-17 in China.

"It is a breakthrough in the country's arduous fight against anti-dumping charges," said a statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation.

The case will inspire more Chinese enterprises to use WTO rules, such as anti-dumping measures, to protect their own interests, a MOFTEC official said.

The ministry has officially launched an anti-dumping investigation against Japan, South Korea, the United States and Chinese Taiwan for the alleged dumping of phenol products in the Chinese mainland.

It was initiated by four mainland chemical companies including the Shanghai sub-branch company of the Chinese PetroChemical Shareholding Corp.

According to China's anti-dumping regulations, the investigation is expected to be concluded at the end of July next year.

(People?s Daily August 6, 2002)