China on Monday voiced its opposition to the EU's anti-dumping investigation on Chinese shoes, saying "it lacks legal basis and factual proof."

The EU's investigation is expected to involve more than 1,200 Chinese enterprises with products worth US$670 million, according a report on the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) website.

MOFCOM spokesperson Chong Quan said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the matter. Shoes are one of China's major export items. The shoe-making industry involves a large proportion of its workforce.

The EU's investigation is not helpful to long-term steady Sino-EU economic and trade development. China hopes the EU would properly handle the matter, Chong said.

The EU decided on June 30 and July 7 to conduct anti-dumping investigations on China-made safety shoes and footwear with leather uppers respectively.

(Xinhua News Agency July 12, 2005)