China has expressed concern over the United States' intention to politicize and weaponize trade investigations after the US issued preliminary anti-dumping duties on photovoltaic products from four Southeast Asian countries, which could impact Chinese companies with investments in the region, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

The US should abandon its trade protectionist practices as soon as possible and work with all countries to jointly maintain the free trade of new energy products such as photovoltaic equipment to contribute to the global fight against climate change, said He Yadong, a spokesman of the ministry, at a news conference.

In recent years, some Chinese photovoltaic companies have invested and operated in certain Southeast Asian countries, making positive contributions to the local economic and social development, He said.

He expressed China's concern over the US Commerce Department's apparent result-oriented approach in its investigation of photovoltaic products from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. China is worried about the US tendency to politicize trade investigations.

The formation of global supply chains is the result of market forces and the choices of enterprises. Maintaining the stability and smooth operation of global supply chains aligns with the long-term interests and common expectations of all parties, He said.