China expressed "regret" on Thursday over a World Trade Organization ruling against its regulations on the import and distribution of books and audio-visual products.

China regretted the decision by a WTO dispute panel to uphold a United States appeal about those regulations, said Yao Jian, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce.

"China has always fulfilled its obligations on market access for publications, and the channels for foreign publications, films and audio-visual products to enter the Chinese market are extremely open," said Yao.

His statement came after the panel officially distributed the report to WTO members on Wednesday.

"China will seriously evaluate the panel's report and does not rule out the possibility of appealing the ruling," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2009)