A US-based television manufacturer and two labour unions have lodged a petition accusing Malaysian and Chinese TV-makers of anti-competitive dumping practices.

The filing was made by the Five Rivers Electronic Innovations, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the International Union of Electrical, Electronic, Furniture and Salaried Workers.

Beijing-based China Daily said the demands include duties ranging from 84 percent to be slapped o­n TV sets from China and 46 percent o­n sets from Malaysia.

The legal action covers all Chinese TV makers who exported products to the US during the July-December period last year, including the Haier Group, Sichuan Changhong Electric and Konka Group, the newspaper said.

If the US Department of Commerce accepts the case by no later than June 12, a ruling would be expected in October this year.

An official from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products was cited as saying company officials had met with Chinese authorities about the charges.

World's largest producer

No further details were given.

China is the world's largest TV set producer, exporting 18.82 million units, worth an estimated RM8.1 billion (US$2.14 billion), the report said.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) said earlier this month that China topped the list of countries subject to anti-dumping investigations in the second half of 2002.

Twenty-seven investigations are currently under way into Chinese exports, more than any other WTO member.

Last September, the EU resumed television set imports from seven Chinese companies after they agreed o­n pricing and volume restrictions, marking the end of a 15-year anti-dumping investigation. - AFP