Three Chinese associations yesterday announced entry barriers for textile exporters to the European Union (EU) for next year, as the country tries to control the growth of exports and reduce trade friction with its major partner.

Companies in eight categories of textile products for export to the EU next year must have registered capital above 500,000 yuan, two consecutive years of EU exports and over $10,000 worth of textile exports to the EU in the previous year.

The move is one of a series taken by China to maintain reasonable growth of textile exports to the EU, after the two sides reached an agreement on September 29 to set up a monitoring system for eight categories of Chinese textile products including T-shirts, pullovers and men's trousers.

The China Chamber of Commerce for the Import and Export of Textiles, the China National Textile and Apparel Council, and the China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment yesterday called on exporters to abide by laws and regulations, especially on intellectual property and environmental protection.

Exporters have also been urged to maintain order in the market and warned that any breach of the rules will attract a penalty.

Serge Abou, ambassador and head of the European Commission delegation to China, said he did not expect textile exports from China to increase dramatically next year.

"European and Chinese industries have learned to live together," he said yesterday in Beijing.