BEIJING, March 12 (Xinhua) -- China opposes the United States using the so-called "overcapacity" as a pretext for political manipulation, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, after the United States reportedly announced it will launch trade investigations into 16 trading partners including China.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a daily press briefing, saying China's position on the economic and trade issues between China and the United States is consistent and clear, and that China is against unilateral tariff measures of any form.

He noted that tariff and trade wars serve no one's interests, and that China and the United States should resolve relevant issues through consultation on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit.

The so-called "overcapacity" is a false proposition, and China opposes using it as a pretext for political manipulation, Guo added. ■