China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Thursday it was "highly concerned" about the U.S. request for the World Trade Organization (WTO) to investigate allegedly illegal Chinese subsidies on wind power equipment makers.

China's measures to promote wind power development comply with WTO rules, an unnamed MOC official said in a statement on the ministry's website.

In response to a petition from the U.S. steelworker's union, the U.S. trade authority made the complaint Wednesday to the WTO. U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said in a statement that China's subsidies hindered U.S. exports to China.

The MOC official said measures to support China's wind power sector helped cut emissions, save energy and protect the environment, which are important means to realize sustainable development.

"China will carefully study the U.S. request for mediation and deal with the dispute based on WTO rules. We will reserve relevant rights," he noted.

The United States and China have around two months to resolve the dispute through mediation. If mediation fails, the United States can ask the WTO to formally hear its complaint.

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