CHINA appears to be taking action over the European Union's (EU) sudden decision to slap quotas on some textile products and seven categories of Chinese-made goods.
After two months of relative silence following imposition of the measures, China will send officials to Brussels for discussions with EU representatives.
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce director Ian Christie commented: ''China has been very quiet about the issue.'' According to Hong Kong Trade Department principal officer Brian Chan, discussions will be held about a separate bilateral agreement on textiles not covered by the Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA).
''There have been suggestions that the EU may move a little bit on the limit on quotas for the quota-hit textile goods,'' Mr Chan said.
''This can be read as the possibility of an increase in the quotas for those textile items for this year.''.
Among the textile categories affected are silk, ramie and linen.
On the possibility of increasing quotas for the seven categories of Chinese-made goods, Mr Chan said: ''Europe can be flexible, depending on how much pressure China can apply on them.'' The EU hastily passed rulings to place quotas on some textile products and other Chinese-made goods earlier this year. The ruling came into effect on March 15.