Yao Jian, a spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce, says the Chinese government and shoe makers are protesting the EU's proposal to extend anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese-made shoes. He says it violates WTO rules. He also says the EU has taken protective measures on its shoe making industry over the past 14 years. Yao points out the continuation of anti-dumping measures is an abuse of trade remedies. He is calling on EU member states to vote against the proposal in the next ballot. Shen Le explains further.

From 1995 to 2005, The EU Commission imposed a quota on some shoes from China. In 2006, the EU Commission imposed a tariff of up to 16.5 percent on Chinese made shoes, after European manufacturers complained they were unable to compete against low-cost producers in China and Vietnam.

On Wednesday, the EU's executive commission proposed extending trade charges on Chinese and Vietnamese leather shoes.

Retailers and importers say they are the real victims, because the extra charges force them to pay more for the vast number of shoes made in China.

The European Footwear Alliance says the charges will not help Europe's shoemakers, as imports from China and Vietnam are being replaced by imports from other countries.

The group says the charges will also jeopardizes the EU's relations with key emerging markets like China.

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