Sunday marks the 15-year anniversary of China's joining the World Trade Organization. It was a moment filled with cheers when the country joined in 2001. Since then, China has made great strides in building up the "Made in China" brand. But there also have been mounting challenges.

One recent one: Some developed countries have rejected to abandan "surrogate country" approach in trade with China. On Thursday, Japan followed the EU and the US in referring to China as a "non-market economy". This move is aimed at allowing Japan to slap tariffs on Chinese exports. China's Ministry of Commerce says it will follow WTO rules to take "necessary measures" if some countries won't abide by China's WTO agreement. 

"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.