It is only the second time Beijing has taken the EU to the WTO’s formal dispute resolution process and comes as Beijing is becoming more assertive on the world stage on issues ranging from climate change to US arms sales to Taiwan christian louboutin.

The European Commission said on Thursday that it had “taken note” of China’s action, and that it had “scrupulously followed” WTO rules in reaching its decision.

The complaint comes at an awkward institutional moment for Brussels with the new trade commissioner, Belgium’s Karel De Gucht, recently appointed but not yet confirmed by the Parliament. That is expected to occur next week hot christian louboutin.

During a confirmation hearing last month, Mr De Gucht pledged to apply anti-dumping measures based on rules – not politics – and to deepen the dialog with China, which has quickly become one of the EU’s largest but most contentious trading relationships.

The row has emerged as a closely-watched test of the EU’s commitment to free trade in the middle of an economic recession. It has pitted small shoemakers in Italy and Spain against large retailers from the UK and elsewhere that have increasingly outsourced production to Asia christian louboutin shoes.

The EU first imposed the duties for two years in 2006 after a surge of low-cost imports eroded the market share of domestic footwear manufacturers. European market share has since stabilised.

Lord Mandelson, who imposed the original duties in his previous role as European trade commissioner, lobbied heavily against their renewal. Lord Mandelson, the UK business secretary, warned that such a move could damage trade relations with China and Vietnam christian shoes.