BEIJING -- China's solar sector on Wednesday protested against an anti-dumping ruling set by the United States.

The US Commerce Department on Tuesday set final dumping margins on imported photovoltaic products from China, paving the way for the US government to impose punitive duties on the products.

It was the latest US action against Chinese solar products after a similar one in 2011. It is an obvious abuse of trade remedy measures and a trade protectionism in disguise, said a statement issued by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products.

Trade protectionism can hurt both countries' solar industries and Chinese enterprises will take further measures to defend their rights within the legal framework, it said.

The Ministry of Commerce has reiterated its calls for the United States to objectively and fairly handle ongoing solar trade disputes, honor its commitment against protectionism and work with China to maintain a free, open and just trade environment.

The US Commerce Department made its affirmative final determination that crystalline silicon photovoltaic products from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan had been sold in the United States at dumping margins ranging from 26.71 percent to 165.04 percent, and 11.45 percent to 27.55 percent, respectively.

The department determined that producers and exporters of photovoltaic products from Chinese mainland received countervailable subsidies ranging from 27.64 percent to 49.79 percent.

Punitive duties would be imposed after the US International Trade Commission (ITC) made an affirmative final rule, which is scheduled on Jan 29, 2015. If the ITC makes a negative determination, the investigations will be terminated.