China opposes EU Commission's proposal on leather shoe duties

China expressed its "strong dissatisfaction" yesterday with a European Commission proposal to extend by 15 months anti-dumping duties on leather shoes imported from the Asian giant.

The Commission last week proposed extending the 16.5 per cent duty on imports of Chinese shoes with leather uppers.

"The Commission's proposal, if approved, would damage the interests of Chinese shoe manufacturers," commerce ministry spokesman Yao Jian said in a statement. "The Chinese side opposes the proposal and expresses its strong dissatisfaction," Mr Yao added, saying the European decision was "inconsistent with World Trade Organisation rules".

He said the European Union had been taking protectionist measures for its shoe manufacturing industry for 14 years, but the sector had seen no harm caused by imports from other markets.

The penalty taxes were applied more than three years ago in retaliation for Asian footwear being sold in Europe at below production costs.