WASHINGTON -- The United States determined Monday it would maintain the existing anti-dumping duty on honey from China, despite Beijing's repeated calls for Washington to drop protectionism.

The US International Trade Commission concluded unanimously in a ruling that revoking the current anti-dumping duty orders on honey from China would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

It has been the second five-year "sunset review" since December 10, 2001, when the duty was first introduced. The duty margin runs from 25.88 percent to 183.80 percent.

In 1995, the US Commerce Department planned to impose punitive tariff on honey from China, but the ITC later suspended the investigation.

In 2000, the Commerce Department initiated the investigation again and the ITC made an affirmative response, giving birth to the decade-long order.

A "sunset review" was conducted every five years after anti-dumping duties were introduced.

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the United States to revoke an anti-dumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the department and the ITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies and of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has repeatedly urged the United States to abide by its commitment against protectionism and work together with China and other members of the international community to maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.