The Ministry of Commerce has issued a response to US anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations of steel exports from China. It's hinted at a possible legal challenge.

The statement says China will support its steel companies to defend themselves according to law. And China will safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of these companies, using World Trade Organization rules.

The MOC says trade remedy measures are "not the solution to global steel overcapacity" and "will hinder normal global trade. China also expressed strong concerns over the frequent US probes on China and other countries. Similar action has been taken against South Korea, France, Japan, Italy and Brazil this time.

The statement was issued after the US announced the investigations on Friday. It's the second such investigation this year after the one in March. And records show the US Commerce Department conducted similar investigations into China's steel products last June.