Wu called on the Chinese and European footwear industries to take steps to
improve their relations, adding that co-operation between Aokang and Italian
footwear company Geox had benefited both sides.
While Aokang is assisting Geox with the opening of chain stores in China, the
Italian firm is introducing more advanced technologies to its Chinese
counterpart.
Xu Yong, a senior official from the China Leather Industry Association,
said that it is a normal trend to transfer labour-intensive footwear
manufacturing from high to low-cost regions.
"It will move to areas with even lower costs in the future," he said, "and
China will have to be prepared for that too."
"China has started to control the total amount of shoe output, while
encouraging value-added products and cutting energy consumption," Xu said,
referring to measures in the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10).
But some industry experts say that the European Union's move may actually
benefit Chinese shoe manufacturers in the long term.
"The footwear manufacturing industry in China needs some stimulants in order
to achieve healthy development," said Yang Chengjie, president of the China
Leather and Footwear Industry Research Institute.
Although the tariff may cause the industry some "short-term pain, this will
encourage enterprises to focus on the quality of products rather than simply
cutting their price."
Many enterprises have started to adjust their business strategies as a result
of the trade dispute.
"The anti-dumping sanctions are both a challenge and opportunity for the
footwear manufacturers in China, " said Su Wenbin, the boss of Hengtai Hongwei
Shoes Co in East China's Fujian Province. His company has developed its own
brand since the beginning of the year, while also starting to sell its products
on the domestic market.
Zhu Weiwen, chairman of the Guangzhou Leather and Footwear Industry Chamber
said: "China's shoe manufacturers should also develop their own brand while
working as original equipment manufacturers."
(China Daily 10/13/2006 page9)
 | 1 | 2 |
(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)
