China urged Japan on Wednesday to drop "safeguard" import curbs it recently slapped on three farm products mainly from China.
Asked about the measure in a briefing at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum ministerial meeting being held near Shanghai, Long Yongtu, China's vice minister of foreign trade and economic cooperation, called it "the very move of protectionism."
"The result of ongoing negotiations depends on Japan's response," Long said. He did not say whether China was planning to retaliate.
Earlier in the day, Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma said Shi Guangsheng, China's minister of foreign trade and economic cooperation, told him Tuesday that moves are being made against trade liberalization, including safeguards and antidumping.