Chinese lighter producers, mostly private enterprises in Wenzhou of east China's Zhejiang Province, have almost won an anti-dumping suit filed by their counterparts in the European Union (EU).

The Association of Lighter Producers in Wenzhou said it received a written notice from the EU Thursday, which says the federation of lighter producers in Europe has withdrawn its anti-dumping suit.

According to the notice, the EU will issue a ruling accordingly if the Chinese plants raise no objections to the withdrawal.

Li Zhongjian, director of Dongfang Lighter Plant in Wenzhou, said he was much encouraged by the news.

"It's an event of great significance. It tells us answering the anti-dumping suit is not such a complex thing. If we are on the right side and dare to face up to it, we'll win ultimately," said Li.

At the request of European lighter producers, EU announced on June 28, 2002, the launching of anti-dumping investigation against refillable lighters from China and Southeast Asian countries.

Led by the Association of Lighter Producers in Wenzhou, Chinese lighter producers answered the charge and cooperated with EU investigators, who made a field study of lighter producers in Wenzhou in early September 2002.

According to the association, EU officials consented to the fact that the production cost of Wenzhou lighter producers are truly low.

"Through this suit, we've learned the rules of the World Trade Organization and international trade. We've also learned that we must first act in accordance with rules of international trade in order to win anti-dumping suits and be protected by international trade laws," said Li.

(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2003)