In direct response to recent US Section 301 probes, China announced on Friday that it has launched two separate trade barrier investigations against the United States, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The first investigation will focus on US practices and measures that undermine global industrial and supply chains, while the second will examine US actions that impede trade of green products, a spokesperson for the ministry said.

The Chinese action follows two separate Section 301 investigations launched by the US Trade Representative's office.

On March 12, Washington initiated a probe into what it called "overcapacity" targeting 16 economies, including China. The following day, it launched another Section 301 investigation against 60 economies, including China, under the pretext of "failure to effectively prohibit imports of goods produced with forced labor".

The spokesperson said the ministry would proceed with the investigations in accordance with the Foreign Trade Law and the Rules on Foreign Trade Barrier Investigations, and would take corresponding measures based on the findings.

On Thursday, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao raised serious concerns over recent US Section 301 investigations during a meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

wangkeju@chinadaily.com.cn