BEIJING - China was embroiled in 80 trade dispute cases during the January-November period, up 12 percent from the same period last year, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) revealed on Tuesday.

The cases involved 18 different countries and regions, said MOC spokesman Yao Jian at the ministry's regular press conference.

Yao said the recently-concluded solar panel dispute with the European Union (EU) indicates that negotiation was a main tool to resolve future disputes.

He said the 121 Chinese solar makers involved in the price undertaking deal with the EU reached in July accounted for 79 percent of China's total solar exports to the bloc.

Last week, the EU decided to impose punitive tariffs on some Chinese solar exporters, but companies signing the deal will continue to export their products to the EU, although at prices and volumes that reduce their previous dominant positions on the European market.

Chinese solar makers should seize this opportunity to boost manufacturing ability and profitability, instead of following the old practice of excessive resource consumption and underselling, Yao said.