Chinese Government is ready to support domestic footwear enterprises to fight against anti-dumping duty levied by European Union, informed senior trade official.

On April 7, 2006, EU had imposed provisional tariff on Chinese leather shoe imports neglecting Chinese firms appeal.

Gao Hucheng, China's Deputy Commerce Minister, stated that all the enterprises would get Government’s firm support whosoever to challenge EU decision in courts.

More than 150 shoe making companies in China has formed coalition and raised about 3 million yuan to challenge EU’s decision.

China is trying to resolve this issue through various means such as informal talks, consultations and negotiations by securing the interests of both sides, Gao said.

Gao Hucheng is also not discounting the possibilities of filing a complaint against EU at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).