The Ministry of Commerce of China File photo: VCG

A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Wednesday criticized the European side's recent move to investigate a Chinese wind power company as discriminatory, vowing to take necessary measures to safeguard the legal interests of Chinese firms. 

The remarks came after the EC announced that it had opened an in-depth investigation into Goldwind Science & Technology Co under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), a move that will scrutinize the Chinese company's wind turbine business and related services in the EU.

The spokesperson said that the EU's relevant investigations had excessively broadened the concept of "foreign subsidies" and suffered from multiple problems, including insufficient evidence for case initiation and a lack of procedural transparency, noting that they are typical examples of practicing protectionism under the pretext of "fair competition." 

In January 2025, the MOFCOM determined in accordance with the law that the EU's relevant practices constituted trade and investment barriers, following an investigation. "Rather than correcting its actions, the EU has instead gone further down the wrong path," the spokesperson noted. 

The spokesperson stressed that Chinese green industries, including wind power, rely on continuous technological innovation, a well-developed industrial system, and full market competition to provide high-quality green products for the global response to climate change, making positive contributions. The EU's abuse of investigative measures not only seriously disrupts mutually beneficial industrial cooperation between China and the EU and undermines the confidence of Chinese enterprises in investing in Europe, but will also slow the pace of the green transition in Europe itself and globally, said the spokesperson. 

China has consistently advocated resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, and opposes the politicization and excessive securitization of economic and trade issues, the spokesperson said. 

China urges the EU to immediately correct its erroneous practices, exercise prudence in the use of the FSR as a unilateral investigative tool, and create a fair, just, and predictable market environment for China-EU cooperation, said the spokesperson, noting that China will closely follow subsequent developments and take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.

In a statement sent to the Global Times on Wednesday, Chinese firm Goldwind said that it will cooperate with the relevant EU authorities throughout the investigation in accordance with all applicable legal procedures. 

The company affirmed that its local operation strictly adheres to international rules and local laws and regulations, adding that its business activities in the EU market continue to operate normally.