EU launches WTO challenge against China over technology transfer

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union launched a challenge at the World Trade Organisation on Thursday over forced technology transfer by China, its second such move this year.

The European Commission, which oversees trade policy in the 28-member European Union, said in a statement that it was significantly broadening and deepening the scope of its WTO action against China.

In June, the European Union launched a separate WTO case against technology transfers by China. This targeted specific provisions under Chinese regulations on import and exports of technology centred on Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures.

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop)