China's Commerce Ministry says it will take "necessary measures" if World Trade Organization members continue to refer to China as a "non-market economy" after December 11th.

The announcement comes after Japan referred to China as a "non-market economy" on Thursday, a stance that allows Japan to put tariffs on Chinese exports. China joined the WTO in 2001, and is pushing for WTO members to respect the automatic expiration of a 15-year provision that lets trade partners treat the nation as a non-market economy.

"China urges those World Trade Organization members, who have not yet implemented their obligations under clause 15, to fulfill their obligations as soon as possible to avoid affecting the normal development of bilateral economic and trade relations. For the small number of members who insist on using surrogate country approaches after December 11th, China will take necessary measures in accordance with WTO rules to firmly protect our legitimate rights," Shen Danyang said.