China implements export permits on textiles

(BEIJING) - China will implement permits for some textile products exported to the European Union from January 1 next year, after the two sides agreed to scrap quota restrictions on Chinese textiles last month.

The commerce ministry will issue permits to exporters to the EU in eight categories of textiles for a one-year period after examining their qualifications, according to a statement on its website.

China will drop the textile quota control in 10 categories of textiles to the EU from January 1 next year, the ministry added.

The move will ensure the "healthy and steady development" of the textile trade between the two parties, it said.

Last month, the European Commission and China agreed to scrap the current quota restrictions on Chinese textiles next year in favor of a monitoring system, with the quota system ending at the end of this year.

The textiles quota agreement with Beijing was imposed out of fears that Chinese imports were swamping the European market.

The quotas will be replaced by a textile import "double checking system" that will track both the issuing of export licences in China and the import of goods into the EU, the European Commission said earlier.