China says information requested by EU electric vehicle probe ‘unprecedented’

BEIJING, June 20 (Reuters) – The types, scope and
quantity of information requested by the European Union for the
investigation into Chinese new energy vehicles were
“unprecedented”, China’s commerce ministry said on Thursday.

Chinese firms were “very shocked and disappointed,” ministry
spokesperson He Yadong told a news briefing.

The EU move “lacks legal basis, and damages the global green
transition and open cooperation,” He said, adding China will
take all necessary measures to safeguard its firms’ legitimate
rights and interests.

(Reporting by Joe Cash and Xu Jing; Editing by Christian
Schmollinger)