China launches anti-subsidy probe on some wine imports from Australia
Updated 16:44, 31-Aug-2020
CGTN

China's commerce ministry said on Monday it has started an anti-subsidy investigation into some wine imports from Australia.

The probe on wines in containers holding two liters or less is expected to end before August 31, 2021, but may extend to February 28, 2022, under special circumstances, according to a statement on the ministry's website.

The move was in response to a request from the China Alcoholic Drinks Association on behalf of the domestic industry, which claimed such wine imports had received subsidies from the Australian government, the ministry said.

Related Australian wine industries or companies may have benefited from a total of 40 subsidies from the government, according to the request from the association.

On August 18, China launched an anti-dumping probe on wine imports from Australia.

China is the top market for Australian wine exports and is also Australia's largest trading partner, with two-way trade worth 235 billion ٓAustralian dollars (170 billion U.S. dollars) last year.

(With input from Xinhua)