China has stepped up criticism of what it calls a new tidal wave of trade protectionism, as a leading Chinese glassmaker vowed to appeal to the WTO over Us anti-dumping duties, state media said Tuesday.

The glass dispute is the latest example of China flexing its muscles

in the global trade arena following its accession to the World Trade Organisation in December.

Joining the WTO provided China a means of handling trade disputes and dumping charges.

But China says it has become more of a target by countries wanting to protect their own markets, fearing China's massive low-cost

labour force and growing industrial might.

Minister of Foreign Trade shi Guangsheng said advanced economies that once preached free trade were now undermining it and that the world's most populous country was one of the hardest hit by trade protectionism, Xinhua news agency said.

"Trade protectionism is becoming a tidal wave as the world economy becomes bogged down with difficulties," shi was quoted as saying in reference to the sluggish world economy.

China is furious with the United states after Washington imposed tariffs of up to 30 per cent on a wide range of steel products in March, a move seen harming Chinese steel producers.

China and other countries decried the Us moves to shore up its own ailing steel industry, and Beijing filed its first complaint to the WTO on the issue.

On Tuesday, windshield exporter Fuyao Group vowed to enlist WTO help after the Us Department of Commerce penalised them with anti-dumping duties, the China Daily newspaper said.

Fuyao Group was not immediately available for comment.