A business coalition made up of more than 100 Chinese shoemakers, material and machinery providers, issued a statement Wednesday voicing support for China's decision to launch action in the WTO against EU duties on Chinese shoes.

China filed the complaint with the WTO (World Trade Organization) on Feb. 4, after the EU's decision to extend anti-dumping duties.

In the statement, the coalition said it was an active participant throughout the EU's investigation and that it believes the EU measure ignores the economic situation of the global shoe industry and hurts the EU industry's longer-term interests.

The coalition said, "China's decision is an important step to ensure the country's legitimate trade interests are protected under the WTO legal framework."

"The challenge through the WTO to the EU's imposition of the anti-dumping duties is justified. It is not a case of China throwing its weight around, but merely a WTO member taking its first step in protecting its trade interests," Wu Zhenchang, president of the coalition and chairman of the board of Guangdong-based shoemaker Chuangxin, said.

"The EU's anti-dumping duties on Chinese shoes don't make any sense and it harms the commercial interests of both the EU and China," he said.

Wu also said some leading European business, consumer and retail organizations have challenged the measures.

Under WTO dispute settlement procedures, the EU and China have 60 days after the complaint is filed to find a solution to their dispute through consultation. If consultation fails, China can ask for a WTO expert panel to investigate and rule on the dispute.