A Chinese shoemakers' alliance says it will send a delegation to attend a hearing organized by the European Union Trade Commission on the levy of anti-dumping taxes on Chinese shoes.

The hearing, scheduled to take place next Tuesday, was arranged at the request of China Alliance in Response to EU Anti-Dumping of Chinese Footwear.

Founded in April, the alliance comprises more than 150 shoemakers, with the purpose of mounting a joint defense against the EU anti-dumping duties.

Wu Zhenchang, president of the board of Chuangxin Shoe Making Co. Ltd, based in Panyu, Guangdong Province, said: "We should make every effort to fight for fair treatment of China-made shoes on the international market by playing the rules of the World Trade Organization."

Since April 7, the EU has levied the duties on leather shoes made in China. The European Commission (EC), the EU executive body, will phase in a duty of 4.8 percent, rising to 19.4 percent over the next six months.

The alliance has made repeated appeals to the EC to stave off possible long-term anti-dumping measures, said Wu, who initiated the establishment of the alliance.

With rising costs from the tariffs, Chinese shoemakers have been adjusting production strategies to dodge risks, including shifting their production lines overseas.

But the blow has been felt by Guangdong Province, a leading international shoe-making base.

Statistics from Guangzhou said the province only exported 5.19 million pairs of shoes to Europe in April and 6.67 million pairs in May, compared with 10.16 million pairs in January.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2006)