Beijing intends to appeal a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling ordering China to ease restrictions on imports of books, movies, music and other media, AP reported, citing comments by a Commerce Ministry spokesman. "We are actively preparing the documents to appeal," Yao Jian told reporters in Beijing, adding that the appeal would be filed within two months, in accordance with WTO regulations. The WTO last week ruled that China had violated its free trade commitments by requiring that media imports be distributed exclusively through state-owned companies. Yao said that Chinese "cultural products" are at a competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace and that China "took measures that fit the Chinese economy and historical cultural tradition." Beijing has historically used media censorship to bolster its political power. China and the US are engaged in several trade disputes over products ranging from tires to poultry.