In the face of more anti-dumping cases targeted at Zhejiang products in the international market, the local government of Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, is trying to set up a talent bank, training and recruiting law professionals specializing in this field, in order to better handle trade disputes in future.

Some 100 lawyers, government workers and company staff members will be selected to take a three-month training program on anti-dumping and anti-subsidy rules, including Article 337 of the US tariff law and other protective measures. Their foreign language skills will also be improved, according to local officials.

About 30 of those who excel in their studies will be sent abroad to undertake internships at foreign enterprises, such as those in the United States, Europe and Australia, for over half a year.

"We are in dire need of a large number of lawyers who fully understand international trade rules and can help companies respond actively when anti-dumping charges are lodged against Zhejiang enterprises," said Zhu Xufeng, vice-director of the Personnel Training and Education Centre under the Zhejiang Provincial Personnel Bureau.

Lawyers completing the overseas training are expected to help local exporters establish early warning systems against possible anti-dumping charges and prepare to answer to anti-dumping investigations, Zhu told China Daily.

Those lawyers will also be listed within a provincial talent bank as experts on international law and the laws in foreign countries.

Zhejiang Province is the area in China most exposed to anti-dumping cases in recent years.

So far, 19 investigations into dumping have been initiated against Zhejiang products this year.

In 2004, foreign countries lodged 59 cases of anti-dumping against China, 33 of which involved Zhejiang enterprises, according to statistics from the provincial Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation Bureau.

Many exporters, especially small and medium-sized companies, are finding it harder to deal with anti-dumping cases, given their lack of qualified personnel and capital, said Wang Qiuchao, president of the Provincial Lawyers Association.

"Some exporters have chosen to ignore the charges, putting themselves at risk of losing the case rather than fighting back to seek the best possible results," said Wang.

There are about 30 lawyers specializing in international or foreign laws in Zhejiang Province, most of whom are in Wenzhou, Ningbo and Hangzhou, Wang added.

Earlier this month, Noble Lift Equipment Joint Stock Co Ltd in Zhejiang Province got the market economy treatment in an anti-dumping charge from the European Union.

(China Daily August 23, 2005)