The MOFCOM stressed that these measures are designed to help the domestic industry weather its current difficulties rather than restrict normal trade. Describing the quota-and-tariff arrangement as moderate, the ministry said that it would give domestic producers room to recover and develop while taking into account trading partners" legitimate concerns and minimizing disruptions to normal trade.

　　Li Guoxiang, a research fellow at the Rural Development Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday that China"s approach reflects an effort to balance the development of its domestic cattle industry with continued openness to international trade, rather than shutting foreign suppliers out of its market.

　　China continues to import several million tons of beef annually and maintains normal trade with its partners, while it is entirely legitimate for the country to protect the interests of its domestic industry, particularly cattle farmers, Li said.

　　The latest notice follows similar developments involving other major beef suppliers. Beef imports from Brazil reached 50 percent of its annual quota on May 9, 80 percent on July 21 and 100 percent on September 29, triggering an additional 55 percent tariff from October 1.

　　Meanwhile, beef imports from Australia reached the country"s full annual quota on June 18, with the additional 55 percent tariff taking effect on June 20. Imports from Argentina reached 50 percent of the country"s 511,000-ton annual quota on August 5, according to the MOFCOM.

　　Li said that China"s combination of country-specific quotas and additional tariffs on imports exceeding those limits offers a useful approach to balancing the interests of domestic producers and trading partners through consultation.