Li reiterates opposition to EU probe on Chinese products

BERLIN - Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang here on Sunday slammed the European Union (EU) for pursuing anti-dumping cases against Chinese solar power and mobile telecommunication equipment.

At a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Li said China firmly opposes the EU investigation into Chinese-made solar panels and wireless telecom devices.

"The moves send to the world a signal of trade protectionism," Li said. "They would not only hurt Chinese business and jobs, but also damage the interests of European industries, business and consumers."

"They harm others without benefiting themselves," Li said.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, backed a proposal this month to impose punitive tariffs averaging 47 percent on Chinese imports of solar panels to prevent alleged "dumping" in the European market. Also this month, it proposed opening anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into mobile telecom equipment imported from China.

Li said China hopes to jointly uphold the principle of opposing trade protectionism with the EU, work with Brussels to find a solution to trade disputes through dialogue and consultation, and send to the world a signal of not abusing trade remedies and not creating a "lose-lose" situation.