The European Union launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of solar glass from China on Thursday, a move seen by industry observers as a way to pressure China amid a long-running dispute over solar panel technology.

The European Commission said on its website that the investigation is based on a complaint lodged by EU ProSun Glass, an association representing European solar glass manufacturers, which claims that solar glass from China is being dumped in the EU at prices below market value and causing material injury to the EU solar glass industry.

"Trade protectionism is bad for both sides," said Meng Xian'gan, deputy director of the China Renewable Energy Society. "It is really wrong to escalate the trade disputes. However, if the EU continues to pressure China, we have to take action to protect our trading rights."