The Commerce Ministry said on Tuesday it plans to select Martell & Co, Societe Jas Hennessy & Co and E. Remy Martin & Co as sample companies for an anti-dumping investigation into brandy imported from the European Union (EU).

The ministry launched the anti-dumping investigation in January in a move seen to be targeting France, which accounts for 99.8 percent of all EU brandy exports, according to Chinese customs data.

China's brandy probe is one of a number of trade disputes between Beijing and Brussels, with both sides exchanging accusations of unfair competition and protectionism.

France's cognac industry association said in January it would fully cooperate with Chinese authorities but it believes the probe is linked to a broader trade row rather than the liquor market. (Reuters)