BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua)-- The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced Monday that China will continue to impose anti-dumping measures against catechol imports from the United States and Japan for another five years starting from Tuesday.

"If such measures cease to be implemented, the dumping of imported catechol from the U.S. and Japan may continue to occur in China and cause damage to the domestic catechol industry," the MOC explained in a statement on its website.

The MOC handed down the ruling after a one-year review of the previous anti-dumping measures, which were imposed in 2006 and were set to expire on May 22 this year.

During the review period, the MOC examined the possibility of continuing the anti-dumping measures and evaluated any possible damage that might result if the measures were discontinued.

China implemented a five-year anti-dumping duty of 4 percent to 46.81 percent on catechol imports from the United States and Japan on May 22, 2006.

Catechol is a chemical material that can be used as an antiseptic or photographic developer.