That was quick. From Reuters:
"We think it was improper for the WTO not to reject the U.S. request," the spokesman, Yao Jian, told a news conference in Beijing. "Based on the WTO schedule, we are preparing the documents necessary to lodge an appeal."
Here's my question: Why announce this now, rather than waiting until the last minute before the appeal deadline? I would think there would be some strategic advantage to waiting, so as to give your opponent less time to prepare. If they know you are going to appeal, they are more likely to start preparing for the appeal right away.
On the other hand, is there some benefit to announcing early that you will appeal? Could it be used as a bargaining chip for some related matter (i.e., we'll withdraw the appeal if you do X)?
UPDATE:
Jonathan Lynn of Reuters tweets:
rowing back? China MOFCOM transcript changes what said in pressconf on WTO appeal: "does not rule out possibility" from "actively preparing"
It also occurs to me that the original quote does not say they are going to appeal. Rather, it says they are "preparing the documents" for an appeal. Hmm.
