Several Chinese shoemakers completed questionnaires sent to them by the European Union before yesterday's deadline.

In June the 25-nation bloc said it may impose anti-dumping duties on six types of leather and canvas shoes imported from China following a surge in imports in the first three months of the year.

All companies on the EU's investigation list were sent questionnaires, which had to be completed and returned by yesterday's deadline.

Failure to do so would mean they'd be considered as giving up their legal rights to defend themselves against the dumping charges. Most of the companies on the EU list are based in east China's Zhejiang province.

China's Canvas shoe Association has already hired lawyers and said they are ready to go to Europe to present their argument. Beginning today, the dumping charges will enter a nine-month investigation period.

(CCTV.com August 8, 2005)