China on Monday opposed EU's anti-dumping investigation on Chinese shoes, saying "It lacks a legal basis and factual proof."

The EU's investigation is expected to involve more than 1,200 Chinese enterprises with US$670 million in value, according to the website of the Ministry of Commerce.

MOC spokesman Chong Quan said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the case. Shoes are one of China's major export items. The shoe-making industry concerns a large portion of its workforce.

The EU's investigation is not helpful to the long-term and steady Sino-EU economic and trade development. China hopes the EU would "properly" handle the case, Chong said.
  
The European Union (EU) decided respectively on June 30 and July 7 to conduct anti-dumping investigations on China-made safety shoes and footwear with leather tops.

(Xinhua News Agency July 12, 2005)