Aokang, one of China's biggest makers of leather shoes, was the first to announce the campaign against the EU rulings. It has been joined by industrial associations and individual enterprises.

The China Leather Shoes and Sport Shoes Commission said it supports Aokang in its action to protect China's footwear industry and defend the national interest.

A dozen shoe manufacturers from Guangdong, Zhejiang and Liaoning provinces have also announced that they would hire EU lawyers to jointly file the lawsuit.

Lu Jianhua, director of the ministry's foreign trade department, earlier said the EU anti-dumping charges were likely to affect US$730 million worth of exports and more than 70,000 Chinese jobs.

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