Chinese delegates deny harming local towel industry
06 Mar '06
2 min read
Government Information Office, Republic of China (Taiwan) informed that during the first import-relief hearing involving imported China-made towels on March 2, Chinese representatives refuted the Taiwanese charges, saying that there is not sufficient evidence for harm inflicted on the Taiwanese towel industry.
The mainland delegates also said that Taiwan's resorting to import is at odds with the special defensive measure in the agreement for China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and also counter to measures for dealing with commodities import relief.
During the meeting sponsored by the Trade Investigation Committee of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, speakers from the Taiwan side include Chou Ching-yuan, chairman of the Yun-lin County Towel Industry Sci-Tech Development Association; Su Wei-sho, assistant to a legislator; Li Li-chung, professor of law, Ming Chuan University; Lin Ting-chun, lawyer at Winkler Partners; Cao Xin-yu, vice chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of Textile Importers and Exporters (China); Liu Wei-chien, a lawyer; and Jia Guo-dong, a public certified accountant, expressed comments from the Taiwanese side to the Chinese delegation.
The three Chinese officials were present throughout the hearing but kept a low profile, without making any statement.
Chou Ching-yuan reported that imports of Chinese towels jumped 52.2 percent and 83.5 percent in 2002 and 2004, respectively, leading to a serious decline in the market share of Taiwanese towels and forcing many domestic towel makers to close shop.
marketing@alchempro.com
