China says its firms reserve right to lodge investigations into EU pork, dairy

Milk destined for export to China on the production line of a plant of French agricultural cooperative in the dairy industry "Les Maitres laitiers du Cotentin". The plant manufactures dairy products destinated to China's market. / AFP PHOTO / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU (Photo credit should read CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Casey Hall, Lucy Craymer and Mei Mei Chu

Chinese companies reserve the right to file an anti-subsidy application to investigate European dairy imports and an anti-dumping application to investigate European pork imports, its commerce ministry said on Thursday.

The ministry spokesperson made the comment when asked about such moves.