Beijing urged the European Union on Wednesday to further negotiate with China and demonstrate sincerity and flexibility to avoid escalating and expanding trade frictions after the European Commission announced the imposition of anti-subsidy tariffs on China-made electric vehicles

Speaking at a daily news briefing on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian called the anti-subsidy investigations and high tariffs imposed on Chinese EVs by the EU's institution as "a typical act of trade protectionism."

It will harm the industrial chain and supply chain cooperation between China and the EU, damage the interests of European consumers, and undermine the EU's efforts in green transformation and global climate change mitigation, Lin said.

He said dialogue and cooperation are the mainstream of China-EU relations, and mutual benefit is the essence of economic and trade cooperation between China and the EU.

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It is in line with the common interests of China and the EU, as well as the general expectations of enterprises and peoples on both sides to properly handle economic and trade frictions through dialogue and negotiation based on mutual respect, he added.

Lin conveyed the hope that the European side will continue to advance negotiations with China in a constructive manner and seek solutions.

Also on Wednesday, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said China does not approve of or accept the European Commission's decision to impose extra tariffs on China-made electric vehicles.

In a statement released on the ministry's website, a spokesperson said China has repeatedly pointed out that the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs is irrational, fraught with numerous non-compliance issues, and is a protectionist move under the guise of "fair competition”.

China has already appealed to the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism over the issue, and will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.

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Noting that the EU is still willing to continue talks on price commitments for Chinese-made EVs, the spokesperson said China always advocates the resolution of trade disputes through dialogue and consultation, and had made the utmost efforts to this end.

Currently, technical teams from both sides are engaged in a new phase of consultations.

It is hoped that the European side will work constructively with China, following the principles of "pragmatism and balance" and taking into account each other's core concerns, and strive to reach a mutually acceptable solution as soon as possible to avoid an escalation of trade frictions, said the spokesperson.