China defended its exports policy Wednesday morning in the wake of the United States and the European Union on Tuesday filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO).

An unnamed official with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) defended China's restriction on exports of bauxite, coke, magnesium, zinc and silicon metal, among others, saying its export policies are consistent with WTO rules.

The export restrictions were to protect the environment and natural resources, the official said.

The United States and the EU claim that China's export restrictions create unfair advantages for Chinese industries and distort world competition, or went against WTO regulations.

The European Commission said the China's move to reduce material export may affect 4 percent of EU's industrial output, or 500,000 employees. The EU imported 4.5 billion Euro of these materials from China in 2008.

According to the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism, China, the U.S. and the EU will have a 60-day period to consult. If no solution appears the plaintiffs can move to establish a WTO panel for a formal ruling.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2009)