Responding to the massive hype surrounding the so-called "China's excess capacity" narrative in Western circles, officials and experts said that it only politicizes trade, deflects attention from structural economic problems at home and acts as a cover for protectionist measures.

BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday released a document titled "China's Position on the So-called Excess Capacity Issue."

China has called for a comprehensive, objective and fair view of capacity issues, warning that protectionism would pose long-term risks to global growth, according to a document…