BEIJING, April 17 (Xinhuanet) -- China’s Ministry of Commerce plans to appeal the World Trade Organization’s ruling that Chinese export restrictions on rare-earth metals violated global rules.

The ministry's spokesman Shen Danyang said: "China will put its weight behind making an appeal. Whatever the result will be, China’s policy goal to protect resources and the environment will not change. We will also continue to strengthen management of resource products in line with WTO rules and ensure fair competition."

Shen also affirms that the WTO respects resource sovereignty, and recognizes policies intended to protect resources and the environment.

The WTO last month ruled in favour of a complaint from the U.S., the European Union and Japan. The countries claimed that China’s export quotas of rare earths were in violation of trade rules.

The precious resource is used to manufacture a range of crucial technologies from smartphones to missile-defense systems. China has said its restrictions are in place for environmental reasons.

Source: CNTV.cn