China may appeal trade ruling

China said Thursday it might appeal a World Trade Organization ruling that it improperly restricts trade in foreign movies, music and books and insisted it does not impede imports.

A WTO panel ruled Wednesday in a case brought by the United States that China violates free-trade rules by forcing importers of foreign media products to route their business through Chinese state-owned companies.

"The Chinese side feels regret at the ruling by the experts group," ministry spokesman Yao Jian said in a written statement.

"The Chinese side will conscientiously assess the expert group's ruling and does not rule out the possibility of an appeal."

Yao's statement said, "the channels for China's import market for published materials, movies and music are completely unimpeded."