China's Ministry of Commerce says the United States recent quota on Chinese furniture is unfair and breaches World Trade Organization rules.

A senior official from the Ministry says that the country's furniture industry is highly market-oriented and all raw material prices are decided by the market.

He says that the US Department of Commerce didn't give serious consideration to the request from Chinese furniture makers to be given "Market-Oriented Industry" status.

He also pointed out the US companies filing the complaints against the Chinese furniture products are the ones who failed to control their cost in domestic competition.

The official urges the US not to impose anti-dumping quotas on the industry and the Ministry will continue to monitor the issue.

On Tuesday the US Department of Commerce ruled that duty will be imposed on seven Chinese furniture companies of up to 198 percent, because it says they are selling furniture in America below cost.

(CRI.com November 12, 2004)