The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union (EU), officially decided on Thursday to launch an investigation into Chinese textile imports in the EU in nine product categories.

The investigation was proposed by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson last Sunday.

Mandelson announced that he would seek the authorization from the Commission to conduct a rapid investigation to determine if market disruption has occurred and whether the EU should impose special safeguard measures.

The Commission's approval of the investigation was considered a formality after EU governments backed the idea Monday.

The nine product categories to be covered by the investigation are: T-shirts, pullovers, blouses, stockings and socks, men's trousers, women's overcoats, brassieres, flax or ramie yarn and woven fabrics flax.

The Commission decision will be published in the Official Journal on Friday. The investigation will be launched on Friday and will last for a maximum of sixty days.

The Chinese government has criticized the decision to investigate, saying that it is unfair and violates World Trade Organization rules.

China and the EU would hold informal talks in the next weeks in a bid to settle this issue.

(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2005)