Chinese steel saw more trade remedy probes during the first 11 months of 2016 than theprevious year, an official said on Friday.

A total of 41 investigations were launched over steel products imported from China by 16countries and regions, up 24 percent year on year, and involving products worth 6.8 billionU.S. dollars, Shen Danyang, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, said during apress conference.

"Members of the World Trade Organization have the right to initiate such investigations,but they must strictly observe related rules and fully ensure the legal rights and interestsof Chinese companies," Shen said.

Given the worldwide steel overcapacity, many countries have resorted to protectionismand blamed Chinese steel for their domestic economic woes, instead of pressing ahead withreforms.

"The world should work together to face the problem, rather than just targeting China,"Shen said.

China has made steady headway in downsizing its own steel production. The industryslashed 45 million tonnes of capacity in the Jan.-Nov. period ahead of schedule, andregulators have shut down illegal projects and guaranteed there will not be any illegal newsteel mills.

In fact, China digests most of its steel production. In the first ten months, China exported92.63 million tonnes of steel, up only 0.5 percent from a year ago.