FILE: Beijing, China - Date Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Exterior of China's Ministry of Commerce building
2. Words on wall reading (English) "MOFCOM"

Beijing, China - March 23, 2018 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Chen Fuli, director, Department of Treaty and Law, Ministry of Commerce:
"China does not want and will not stir up a trade war, but is not afraid of it, nor will avoid it. In fact, we have made full preparation to respond to the U.S. investigation under Section 301. And we will resolutely safeguard our legitimate rights and interests."
4. Chen talking to reporters
5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Chen Fuli, director, Department of Treaty and Law, Ministry of Commerce:
"Once the U.S. measures are carried out, China will definitely respond to it."
6. Chen talking to reporters
7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Chen Fuli, director, Department of Treaty and Law, Ministry of Commerce:
"[The U.S.], based on its domestic trade laws, rules that China’s actions do not conform to its own laws. It is apparent unilateralism, and trade protectionism as well. The investigation is a brazen violation of the WTO rules."
8. Cameras
9. Chen talking to reporters

FILE: China - Date Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
10. Various of workers operating on machines
11. Equipment
12. Various of workers at work
13. Researcher looking at computer screen
14. Microscope
15. Smear under microscope
16. Various of researchers doing experiments

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Friday said China does not want a trade war, but is not afraid of it, and the country is ready to protect its own interests.

Chen Fuli, director of the Department of Treaty and Law at China's Ministry of Commerce, said that "China does not want and will not stir up a trade war, but is not afraid of it, nor will avoid it. In fact, we have made full preparation to respond to the U.S. investigation under Section 301. And we will resolutely safeguard our legitimate rights and interests."

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a memorandum Thursday, directing the U.S. Trade Representative to impose a billions-of-dollar tariffs on China. The tariffs will take effect after a period.

"Once the U.S. measures are carried out, China will definitely respond to it," said Chen.

The tariffs will be imposed under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974.

But Chen said the U.S. latest move violates World Trade Organization rules.

"[The U.S.], based on its domestic trade laws, rules that China’s actions do not conform to its own laws. It is apparent unilateralism, and trade protectionism as well. The investigation is a brazen violation of the WTO rules," said Chen.