China on Wednesday started an anti-subsidy investigation into certain dairy products imported from the European Union (EU), according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The probe will cover imported dairy products including fresh cheese and curd, blue cheese, and some milk and cream, the ministry said.

It will look at a number of subsidies under the EU's common agricultural policy and should be concluded within a year, but could be extended for six months.

The application to launch the investigation came from the China Dairy Association and China Dairy Industry Association, the ministry added.

The probe joins a number of other pending Chinese inquiries into EU trade practices, including an anti-dumping investigation into pork imports.

Trade ties between China and the EU have suffered after the EU earlier announced tariffs for Chinese-made electric vehicles.

On Tuesday, the European Commission said it planned to impose five-year import duties of up to 36 percent on Chinese electric cars, unless Beijing can offer an alternative solution to a trade row over state subsidies. (Agencies)