BEIJING - China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Saturday expressed its deep concern over the United States' anti-dumping and anti-subsidy probe into Chinese exports of wind towers.

"The act will not only hamper bilateral cooperation in the field of new energy and harm the interests of US industries, but also go against global efforts to tackle the challenges of climate change and energy security," the MOC said in a statement on its website.

"China hopes the US side can respect relevant laws and facts, and abide by the commitment made at the G20 summit in Cannes that all countries should avoid introducing new trade protectionism measures," it said.

The statement came after US Commerce Department announced on Thursday that it was to launch anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations on wind towers from China and Vietnam.

The merchandise covered by the investigation is steel towers that support the engine and rotor blades for use in wind turbines with electrical power generation capacities in excess of 100 kw, the Commerce Department said in a statement.

The department alleged China had a dumping margin at 213.54 percent and Vietnam at 140.54 to 143.29 percent in wind tower prices.