China warns EU against solar industry restrictions

China.org.cn
[Shen Danyang,] spokesman for China's Ministry of Commerce told reporters at a press conference today that the European Union would hurt its own solar industry if it imposes restrictions on Chinese products.(...)
The spokesman stressed that he did not wish to see such a mutually beneficial situation compromised, and warned the EU that European firms would also suffer if restrictions were placed on Chinese solar firms.
"We do not want such a win-win situation being undermined or damaged," he said. "Faced with such a grave world economic situation, we think that China and the EU should enhance policy coordination and refrain from using trade protection measures."
He added that China has so far imported a total of 40 billion yuan (US$6.3 billion) worth of equipment to produce solar batteries, with 45 percent being purchased from Europe.
Shen warned that any sanctions against the Chinese solar cell industry would hurt EU firms as China buys a large volume of European raw materials in order to make photovoltaic products.