Major Chinese solar companies have reacted sharply to U.S. probes into Chinese exports of solar products, warning that such investigations would hurt American jobs.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Commerce Department said it was investigating allegations by U.S. solar-panel manufacturers that Chinese rivals had been dumping their products on the U.S. market.

Chinese solar companies, including Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. (YGE), Suntech Power Holdings Co. (STP), Trina Solar Ltd. (TSL), and Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ), said they are confident the U.S. probes won't find exporters guilty of dumping.

"Growing Chinese exports of solar products are a result of competitiveness, not dumping or government subsidies," the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, or CCCME, said in a statement.

The probe follows a complaint by the U.S. unit of Germany-based SolarWorld AG on behalf of itself and six U.S. solar-panel makers. They accused Chinese rivals of selling products in the U.S. market below the cost of production to gain market share, and alleged that the Chinese government provided illegal subsidies to local firms.

"China's solar industry doesn't get special government treatment and support," Shi Zhengrong, chairman and chief executive officer of Suntech Power, China's largest solar panel manufacturer, told a press conference organized by CCCME.

CCCME said in the statement that SolarWorld received a total of $43 million from Oregon state in tax subsidies and other social benefits in 2007 and around 137 million euros as government subsidies in Europe between 2003 and 2011.

"I believe no Chinese solar company has enjoyed such high government subsidies," Shi said.

CCCME also said the Chinese companies' battle is only against a few complainants led by SolarWorld, and not the entire U.S. solar sector.

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