BEIJING - China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Thursday that it was "highly concerned" about the US decision to ask the World Trade Organization (WTO) to study the subsidies to the Chinese 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 its website.

"Every country in the world is seeking to develop renewable energy to cope with climate change. China's wind power measures are helping save energy and protect the environment," the Commerce Ministry said in the statement.

"This is crucial for sustainable development and is in accord with WTO principles," it said.

The ministry said China attaches "great importance" to WTO dispute settlement procedures and would reserve its "due rights."