China strongly dissatisfied with EU anti-subsidy investigation

China expressed serious concern and strong dissatisfaction towards the European Union's move to launch an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicle makers, whilst hoping the EU would engage in dialogue and consultations with China to properly resolve trade frictions, according to a news release published by the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao made the remarks on Sunday when meeting with the European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis in Beijing.

The quick growth of EV in China is dependent on research and development innovation, free competition and a full-fledged industrial structure, Wang said.

The EU's probe is an act of trade protectionism, which will affect the green cooperation between the two sides and the stability of the global automotive industrial and supply chains, Wang said, calling on the EU to engage in dialogue and consultations with China.

China hopes for the EU to strictly follow the relevant rules of the World Trade Organization and appropriately address trade frictions in a non-politicized and non-discriminatory manner, Wang said.

Dombrovskis said that the EU is willing to conduct consultations with China on anti-subsidy investigations, and will carry out the investigation on the basis of adhering to the WTO rules and guaranteeing transparency.