China warns of response if countries use overcapacity excuse to hurt its interests

China will respond firmly and take necessary measures if relevant economies use so-called overcapacity as a pretext for actions that harm its interests, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

The warning came after the Office of the US Trade Representative announced last week that the United States and 14 other economies had signed a joint ministerial statement to address "structural excess capacity and production" in key manufacturing sectors.

"China opposes attempts by certain countries to politicize economic and trade issues and pursue trade protectionism in the name of so-called overcapacity," He Yadong, a spokesman for the ministry, said at a news conference.

The ministry had already made China's position clear in late July with the release of "China's Position on the So-called Excess Capacity Issue", calling for "a comprehensive, objective and fair view" of capacity issues and for differences to be managed through open, mutually beneficial cooperation.