BEIJING, April 18 -- China said it hopes India can strictly follow the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on its anti-dumping investigation into Chinese iron and steel exports on Monday.

An official with the Ministry of Commerce said in an online notice that China always advocates prudent, restrained and lawful measures in employing trade remedy instruments.

Steel overcapacity is a worldwide problem which requires joint effort from all countries, the official said. Trade protection measures could not solve the problem and will hinder normal international trade orders.

Since mid-April, India has successively conducted anti-dumping investigations against Chinese steel imports including hot-rolled steel coils and stainless steel plates.

China always encourages its steel companies to tackle trade problems through cooperation with overseas competitors, the official said.