BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government will respect and support the lawsuit brought by its shoemakers against the European Union's anti-dumping measures, said an official with the Ministry of Commerce.

The EU adopted a new policy on October 5, reducing the normal five-year anti-dumping term to two years and imposing anti-dumping duties of 16.5 percent on Chinese shoemakers. The measures have aroused strong protests among Chinese shoemakers.

Chinese shoemakers can file a lawsuit to the European Court up to two months after the October 5 ruling.

"It is an effective way of safeguarding their legal their rights," said the Ministry of Commerce official, who refused to be identified.

The Chinese government will respect and support their decision, said the official, adding that the suit indicates the maturity of Chinese companies in the protection of their rights.

There have been several cases in which Chinese companies have been successful in suing foreign governments for their anti-dumping rulings.