Yesterday the Chinese Ministry of Commerce threw its weight behind domestic shoemakers seeking legal action against the European Union's (EU) anti-dumping tariffs.

 

"The Chinese Government respects and supports their move," said an official with the ministry's Bureau of Fair Trade for Imports and Exports. He added it was their legal right to do so. He said it also indicated that Chinese enterprises had learned to defend their legal rights amid international competition.

 

The European Commission (EC) decided in a final ruling on a dumping claim to levy a 16.5 percent tariff on China-made leather shoes beginning October 7. The charges will be in effect for two years.

 

According to EU law the Chinese enterprises involved can file complaints at EU courts within two months of the final ruling being announced. Chinese shoe manufacturers and industry bodies announced late last month they would sue the EC over the duty.

 

A Ministry of Commerce official noted that the Commission had violated EU regulations in the dumping charges against Chinese leather shoes. "We also notice that there are several success stories in which Chinese enterprises won lawsuits against foreign governments' anti-dumping rulings," he said.

 

Aokang, one of China's biggest makers of leather shoes, was the first to announce the campaign against the EU rulings. It has been joined by industrial associations and individual enterprises.

 

The China Leather Shoes and Sport Shoes Commission said it supports Aokang in its action to protect the footwear industry and defend national interests. A dozen shoe manufacturers from Guangdong, Zhejiang and Liaoning provinces have also announced they would hire European lawyers to jointly file the lawsuit.

 

Lu Jianhua, director of the ministry's foreign trade department, earlier said the EU anti-dumping charges were likely to affect US$730 million worth of exports and more than 70,000 Chinese jobs.

 

(China Daily November 13, 2006)