Chinese shoemakers on Monday strongly criticized the proposed EU plan to impose quotas on imports of China-made leather shoes as retrogressive and a violation of world trade rules.

"Chinese footwear producers are extremely dissatisfied with and firmly object to the EU's plans", according to a complaint filed to the European Commission (EC) by an alliance comprising more than 150 Chinese shoemakers.

Under the proposed system, the EU would levy normal duties on 140 million pairs of leather shoes each year from China and impose anti-dumping duties of 23 percent on imports beyond that level.

Votes by EU member countries will decide the approval of the proposals and the final result is expected to be announced before Oct. 6.

Chinese officials have rejected the idea of a quota-based system, saying it goes against the current world trade rules and is incompatible with the World Trade Organisation, which China joined in 2001.

China has complained that the European Union does not regard itas a market economy and that it has placed unreasonable blame for the losses of EU footwear industry on imports from China and Vietnam.

The new proposals would also levy 29.5 percent of anti-dumping duties on Vietnam-made leather shoes beyond the quota of 95 million pairs.

The Chinese shoemakers' alliance will continue its legal preparation over the case and to support China's efforts in turning to the WTO's dispute-settlement body over the issue.

Editor: Donald