China's Ministry of Commerce started an investigation regarding dumping of European Union (EU) wines in China. The investigation was carried out after a request from the China Alcoholic Drinks Association, which was dated May 15.

According to a statement on the Ministry of Commerce's website, the said wine investigation started today. The probe would include looking into EU wine subsidies in 2012 as well as the impact of EU wine imports on the Chinese wine industry for the period from January 2009 until last year. Two-thirds of wine imports, valued at approximately $2.57 billion, were from the EU, with France as the biggest source of European wine imports.

EU representatives in China were informed by China's Ministry of Commerce regarding the investigation on June 5, and as of June 21, the EU has submitted comments on the matter. However, the EU was disappointed of China's action, said an email statement by EU spokesman John Clancy. Furthermore, "the commission will examine in detail whether the Chinese case is consistent" with the rules of the World Trade Organization.