BEIJING - The "Big Four" accounting firms said on Thursday they intend to appeal against a ruling by the US Securities and Exchange Commission recommending the suspension of the firms' China units for six months.

Deloitte, Ernst&Young, KPMG and PriceWaterhouseCoopers said in a joint statement that they seek to initiate a review by the SEC without delay as the decision would not be final nor effective until it is approved by the full commission.