BEIJING, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- China initiated anti-dumping probes into cellulose pulp imported from the United States, Canada and Brazil on Wednesday, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced.

The MOC will examine whether and to what extent such imports hurt the Chinese cellulose pulp industry and make decisions based on China's anti-dumping laws, the ministry said in a statement posted on its website.

The probes are expected to end within a year and can be extended for another six months under special circumstances.

Cellulose pulp or dissolving pulp, made from plant fiber, is used as a raw material in the production of viscose and acetate fiber.