Production workers from four of the nation’s big PV equipment firms – Suntech, Trina Solar, Yingli and Canadian Solar – are expected to gather outside their factories on Thursday morning to oppose calls for a fair-trade investigation by the EU.

Reports claim up to 13,000 employees could be involved across the country.

China’s PV sector claims that the imposition of tariffs by Brussels – adding to those already planned by the US – could start a trade war, damage the global solar industry and endanger Chinese and European jobs alike.

The