The Ministry of Commerce of China File photo: VCG

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Friday announced an industrial competitiveness investigation into the import of medical CT ball tubes. This marks MOFCOM's first industry competitiveness investigation initiated at the request of a domestic industry.

In accordance with Article 36 of the Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China, the Ministry of Commerce may initiate investigations into the impact of imports on domestic industries and their competitiveness, the MOFCOM said. 

The applicant submitted preliminary evidence showing that China's medical CT tube industry got off to a late start and still in its development phase. The industry has been severely impacted by imported products, leading to operational difficulties and a negative impact on its competitiveness. Based on this, the applicant has requested the Ministry of Commerce to investigate the effect of imports on the domestic industry and its competitiveness, according to MOFCOM. 

A spokesperson from the MOFCOM said emphasized that the industrial competitiveness investigation is a factual investigation. 

This investigation does not target specific countries or regions and does not affect normal trade, and the investigating authorities will fully protect the rights of all stakeholders and conduct the investigation in a fair, objective, and lawful manner, the spokesperson added. 

Also on Friday, the MOFCOM announced to launch an anti-dumping investigation into imported medical CT tubes from the US and India.

The anti-dumping investigation was initiated at the request of the domestic industry, and the products under investigation are certain ball bearing medical CT tubes, the MOFCOM said. 

The applicant submitted preliminary evidence showing that from 2022 to 2024, the import volume of related products from the US and India grew by 13 percent cumulatively, while the import prices continued to decline. This has led to a reduction and suppression of domestic product sales prices, resulting in operational difficulties and losses for the domestic industry, according to the MOFCOM.

When asked about the connection and difference between the two investigations, the MOFCOM said that both investigations were initiated at the request of the domestic industry, but there are differences in terms of product scope, investigation content, and other aspects.

The industry competitiveness investigation involves imported medical CT ball tube products, while the anti-dumping investigation only concerns a specific type of ball-bearing medical CT tube products imported from the US and India.

The industry competitiveness investigation is a fact-finding investigation that focuses on the impact of imported products on the domestic industry's competitiveness, which is not aimed at specific countries or regions and does not affect normal trade. 

In contrast, the anti-dumping investigation targets unfair competitive practices involving imports from specific countries and regions. Based on the investigation results, the authorities may decide whether to impose anti-dumping measures, the MOFCOM said.