China warns of countermeasures against trade protectionism over 'overcapacity' claims

China opposes attempts by certain countries to pursue trade protectionism under the pretext of so-called "overcapacity" and will take necessary measures if its interests are harmed, the Ministry of Commerce warned on Friday.

The ministry made the remarks in response to a media query about an announcement issued by the Office of the United States Trade Representative on Wednesday, regarding a ministerial joint statement signed by senior officials from 14 economies following a US-convened meeting to address so-called "structural excess capacity and production".

China has repeatedly clarified its position on the so-called "overcapacity" issue on various occasions and released a position paper on the matter in July, said a ministry spokesperson in an online statement.

The commerce official said China has consistently maintained that capacity-related issues should be viewed in a comprehensive, objective and fair manner, rather than politicizing economic and trade matters out of concerns over industrial competitiveness and market position.

China opposes attempts by certain countries to use the so-called "overcapacity" issue as a pretext for trade protectionism, as such practices will only disrupt the global economic and trade order and the stability of industrial and supply chains, posing long-term risks to global economic growth, the spokesperson added.