China expressed "deep regret" over the European Commission's decision to launch an anti-dumping probe on Chinese solar panel products exported to the European market, claiming it will harm the development of the global clean energy industry, senior official said on Thursday.

"China called for communication and cooperation many times to solve the solar dispute between China and the Europe, but the European Commission still announced they would start an investigation, for which we feel deeply saddened," said Shen Danyang, spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce.

"It is not too late to fix the mistake," he said. "To limit the export of China's solar products to Europe will harm the interests of both sides because of the interdependent and mutually beneficial relationship between the solar industries in China and Europe."

The solar industry in many countries has had a difficult time since the financial crisis and China is no exception. Many Chinese companies experienced financial difficulties and some of them have been bankrupted, he said.

China requires the European Union to keep the G-20 Los Cabos Summit trade commitment and avoid investment protectionism.

"China calls on Europe to seriously consider our suggestions and solve the trade disputes through communication and cooperation," he said.

dujuan@chinadaily.com.cn