China's Ministry of Commerce reiterated Friday its firm stance of safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of domestic shoe makers, calling for early resumption of leather shoes trade with the European Union (EU).

Several rounds of negotiations, most recently on March 31, had failed to address China's concerns and China hoped the EU side could resolve the dispute with sincerity, said an official from the ministry.

The remarks were in response to China's latest attempt to tackle the shoe trade issue.

China sent a letter Thursday to the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), requesting the establishment of a panel to examine its complaint filed in February and to rule on the case.

The EU began implemented anti-dumping duties of up to 16.5 percent against Chinese leather shoes in October 2006 and it sanctioned a 15-month extension in December last year.

The EU anti-dumping investigation and ruling lacked justice and transparency, which violated WTO regulations, said the official.

The EU has practiced trade protection for its shoe industry for 14 years, and extended duties would hurt the interests of European consumers instead of benefiting its shoemakers, the official said.

Data from the ministry showed the EU initiated seven new anti-dumping investigations against China in 2009.