BEIJING - The Ministry of Commerce on Thursday expressed concern over the United States'anti-dumping and anti-subsidy probe into Chinese exports of solar panels.

Chinese people and enterprises are strongly displeased with the US's attempts to blame Chinese exports for its own sluggish development, said Shen Danyang, a spokesman for the ministry, in a statement on the ministry's website.

Shen warned in the statement that the probe could damage energy cooperation between the two countries and impede the progress of global efforts to deal with climate change.

The US Commerce Department said on Wednesday that it will conduct an investigation to determine whether Chinese companies have been selling solar panels in the United States at unfair discounts and receiving illegal government subsidies.

China retains the right to adopt corresponding measures within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Shen said.