China has appealed against a World Trade Organization ruling that ordered Beijing to ease some of its curbs on foreign films,music and print,a close source to the WTO said on Tuesday. China has appealed today, said the source,referring to a dispute raised at the WTO by the United States in 2007. The WTOs dispute settlement panel in August found that China was breaching international trade rules by blocking foreign-owned companies from acting as importers and wholesalers of films,music and printed material. It therefore asked Beijing to conform to global trade rules on the issue. The question of foreign access to Chinas media market has been a bone of contention for years. Distribution of foreign films remains highly restricted,with some internationally top grossing movies unauthorised for domestic distribution, the American Chamber of Commerce argued in a white paper earlier this year. China stands to gain from greater film distribution in many ways,including better development of the indigenous film industry and reduction in demand for pirated movies as legitimate access to international titles is increased."
