China's Commerce Minister said on Friday that use of safeguard measures by a certain large country violates international pledges against protectionism.

Chen Deming did not specifically name the United States, which recently for the first time invoked safeguard measures, agreed to by China when it joined the World Trade Organization, against imports of Chinese tyres.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meet in Singapore, Chen said that not recognizing China as a market economy invites abuse of anti-dumping rules.

In recent trade negotiations with the U.S., China pushed to be recognized as a market economy before the 2016 deadline specified in its WTO entry. Recognition as a market economy would make it more difficult to find that Chinese goods had been dumped at below market prices.

Chen said the rise of protectionism would impede global economic recovery.

China