欧盟启动对华太阳能电池板反倾销调查

EU trade authorities are to open a formal investigation today into Chinese solar panel manufacturers, according to people familiar with the matter.

知情人士表示，欧盟(EU)贸易当局今天将启动对中国太阳能电池板制造商的正式调查。

The investigation will examine whether or not the companies violated trade rules by dumping their products, or selling them below cost, on the EU market. Depending on the outcome, it could result in punitive tariffs being imposed on the Chinese products.

这项调查将考察中国企业是否违反贸易规则，向欧盟市场倾销产品（即售价低于成本）。如果证明倾销属实，欧盟可能对从中国进口的太阳能电池板征收惩罚性关税。

The case has moved to the top of the EU-China agenda, embodying growing trade tensions.

此案已成为欧盟与中国关系中的首要议题，表明双方贸易关系日益紧张。

In a sign of its political importance, Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, promised her Chinese hosts in Beijing last week that she would prefer that it be resolved through dialogue, rather than investigation.

上周，德国总理安格拉·默克尔(Angela Merkel)向北京的东道主做出了具有重要政治意义的表示：她更希望通过对话而不是调查解决争端。

EU trade officials have indicated that they are constrained by the bloc’s laws, which require them to open an investigation if a complaint satisfies certain -criteria.

而欧盟贸易官员表示，他们必须要遵守欧盟的法律规定——如果某项贸易申诉符合一定标准，他们必须就此展开调查。

Beijing has hinted that it could retaliate by launching probes into EU exports of polysilicon, the basic material used to construct photovoltaic cells.

中国政府暗示，中国可能采取报复行动，对欧盟出口的多晶硅展开调查。多晶硅是制造光伏电池的基础原料。

The complaint was filed in July by Germany’s SolarWorld. It accused Chinese rivals of using illegal government support to lower prices and dominate the EU market.

德国SolarWorld公司于7月针对中国企业提起了贸易申诉。该公司指控中国竞争对手获得了不合法的政府支持，得以降低产品价格并在欧盟市场占据主导地位。

Under EU trade rules, the commission has 45 days to decide whether to proceed to a formal investigation.

根据欧盟贸易规则，欧盟委员会(EC)有45天时间决定是否展开正式调查。

The case has proved divisive within the EU solar industry, with companies that install panels complaining that punishing Chinese imports would push up their costs and ultimately cost European jobs.

这起申诉在欧盟太阳能产业内部引发了分歧，一些太阳能电池板安装公司抱怨称，惩罚中国进口产品将推高它们的成本，最终将使欧洲丧失就业机会。

EU companies that have sold machinery to China to produce photovoltaic cells have also expressed misgivings.

一些已向中国出售光伏电池制造机器的欧洲公司，也表达了自己的顾虑。