After a months-long investigation, China announced the decision to impose anti-dumping deposits on Australian wine as a temporary measure, according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce released on Friday.

The investigation confirmed that Australian wine was being sold in China at artificially low prices, hurting the domestic wine industry, the statement said.

Therefore, the importer of Australian wine will have to pay anti-dumping deposits ranging from 107.1 percent to 212.1 percent, the statement said, noting the new measure will take effect on November 28.

China launched an anti-dumping investigation into Australian wines in August at the request of the China Alcoholic Drinks Association to review whether imported Australian wines were being sold below fair prices and hurting China's wine industry.

On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reiterated China's position on developing China-Australia relations that the healthy and stable development of these ties is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples.

"We hope Australia will provide conditions for bringing bilateral relations back on track," Zhao said.

(Cover image: Staff member organizes Australian wine in a store in Beijing, August 18, 2020./CFP)