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lighter producers in Europe has withdrawn its anti-dumping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)