Large ships are under construction in a shipbuilding enterprise in Rongcheng, east China's Shandong Province, January 2, 2025. /CFP

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Friday urged the U.S. to respect facts and multilateral rules, immediately stop its wrongdoing and return to the rules-based multilateral trading system.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks in response to a query on the U.S. release of a Section 301 investigation report on China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries at a regular press briefing.

Guo stressed that the Biden administration's launch of this investigation has seriously violated the World Trade Organization rules, which is completely an act of protectionism.

"China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes such an act," he said, adding that the Chinese side has expressed its stance multiple times.

According to multiple research reports from the U.S. side, the U.S. shipbuilding industry lost its competitive advantage many years ago due to overprotection, said Guo.

The development of China's related industries is the result of technological innovation of enterprises and active participation in market competition, and it benefits from China's complete industrial manufacturing system and huge domestic market, Guo said.

The Biden administration blames China for its own problems, which lacks factual basis and goes counter to economic common sense.

He said China will keep a close eye on the progress of the investigation and will take all necessary measures to safeguard its rights and interests.