China said it was "deeply concerned" after a US trade panel ruled that Chinese companies have harmed the US solar panel industry by selling products at unfairly cheap prices.

The US International Trade Commission voted unanimously on Friday that there was a "reasonable indication" that Chinese solar cell and panel imports have harmed or threatened to harm the US industry.

"China is deeply concerned about the decision which does not tally with facts and highlights the United States' strong tendency for trade protectionism," the commerce ministry said in a statement late Saturday.

It warned the ruling, which allows the US Commerce Department to continue its probe into complaints by US solar firms that China was dumping solar cells and panels in the US market, could hurt trade ties between the two countries.

"The United States should avoid abusing trade remedies which will affect bilateral trade and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and US enterprises in the new energy sector," the statement said.

It added that China hoped the United States would "objectively analyse" the real reason US companies lacked competitiveness.

The Commerce Department investigation, which could lead to retaliatory duties on Chinese imports, sparked tit-for-tat action from China, with Beijing announcing last month a probe into US subsidies for renewable energy companies.

The United States will release its preliminary findings early next year.