AsianFin--The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) on Sunday blasted the U.S. Section 301 investigation into China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries, calling it “groundless.” 

The industry association said it will organize industry companies to mount a legal defense to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors have actively conducted technological innovation and participated in free market competition based on market development needs, which significantly contributed to the development of global trade as well as the smooth and stable operation of global supply chains, a CCPIT spokesperson said in a statement posted on its official WeChat account.