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China solar executives aim to avoid trade war with U.S.

BEIJING: Heads of China's solar industry on Tuesday said they strongly oppose an investigation by the U.S. into Chinese-made solar panels and asserted that competitive advantages alone explained their success on the global market.
However, in a statement from the China Chamber of Commerce for the Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME), which represents the solar industry, they added that the firms did not intend to start a trade war with the U.S. industry.
"China-based PV (photovoltaic) industries express their strong opposition to the petition for the investigations ... and that any trade restrictive measures that may be imposed will unavoidably cause serious impairment to the sustainable development of the green industries as well as consumers' interests in both China and the U.S."
Earlier this month, the U.S. Commerce Department agreed to look into a complaint by Solarworld Industries Americas Inc, the U.S. arm of Germany-based SolarWorld AG, petitioning the government to slap duties on Chinese solar cells and modules.
China on Friday announced its own investigation into U.S. government policy and subsidy support for renewable energy, including solar equipment.
The tit-for-tat investigations underscore simmering trade tensions between the two countries, as leaders warn of a rising tide of protectionism amid gloomy global economic forecasts.
"Chinese companies hereby avow that their fight in the investigations is directed against a few petitioners led by SolarWorld only, not the entire U.S. PV industry. Chinese PV companies have no intention to initiate a trade war in China against the U.S. PV industry," the Chamber statement said.
Chinese solar firms said that their success was due to "competitive advantages" and the global industry should welcome their efforts to cut production costs.
(Reuters)

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Anti-democratic forces conspiring against govt., PPP: Zardari


ISLAMABAD: President of Pakistan and Co-Chairman PPP Asif Ali Zardari has directed party workers to remain united and foil every conspiracy against PPP,
In a message on the 45th founding day of Pakistan People's Party, President Zardari said anti-democratic forces were hatching conspiracies and remnants of dictator were campaigning against the government and party leadership.
The President, however, vowed to thwart every conspiracy.