China is "dissatisfied" with the European Union's final ruling of imposing anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese seamless steel pipes, the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.

The five-year duties, ranging from 17.7 percent to 39.2 percent, were imposed on the accusation that Chinese imports might cause material injury or threat, the EU said.

China has said repeatedly that the threat of material injury is strictly defined by the World Trade Organization rules and rarely cited as a reason for anti-dumping ruling practice as the WTO members were "highly prudent" in dealing with such cases, a ministry official said.

Chinese authorities have argued that the imposition of anti-dumping duties should be based on findings of material injury or threat, rather on accusations or speculation.

Also, anti-dumping complaints must include accurate and adequate evidence of dumping, injury and a causal link between the two.

The ministry official said facts and figures proved that Chinese steel pipe exports to the EU were decided by market conditions, and had not affected EU steel makers.

It was regrettable the EU made the decision regardless of those facts and figures, he said.

He added the EU had failed to honor its commitment of opposing protectionism and the Chinese firms would resolutely safeguard their interests.