BEIJING - China's decision to levy anti-dumping duties on US auto imports is made "based on laws and facts", a spokesman with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday.

Investigations into the auto market showed that US auto makers have received government subsidies and dumped their vehicles into the Chinese market, which has substantially harmed China's auto industry, said MOC spokesman Shen Danyang during a press conference.

The Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday that China will levy anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on sedans and sport-utility vehicles (SUV) with engines of 2.5 liters and above imported from the United States.

The investigation, launched in response to an application filed by domestic auto makers, is "objective, fair and reasonable", respecting the rights of all the relevant interested parties, said Shen.