BEIJING - China's Ministry of Commerce on Monday announced its decision to launch an anti-subsidy probe on wine imports from Australia.

The probe on wines in containers holding two liters or less is expected to end before Aug 31, 2021, but may extend to Feb 28, 2022 under special circumstances, according to a statement on the ministry's website.

The move was in response to a request from the China Alcoholic Drinks Association on behalf of the domestic industry, which claimed such wine imports had received subsidies from the Australian government, the ministry said.

Related Australian wine industries or companies may have benefited from a total of 40 subsidies from the government, according to the request from the association.

On Aug 18, China launched an anti-dumping probe on wine imports from Australia.