China group enraged by "Not Made in China" tag

BEIJING, Mar 13 (Reuters) A Chinese group protested on Monday to the European Union against a Gibraltar company's application for a ''Not Made in China'' trademark.

The company, Alvito, has applied for the trademark to the European Union in an apparent bid to isolate itself from the current row over cheap Chinese imports into Europe and the United States.

The European Union has yet to pass judgment.

''The trademark will mislead consumers from Europe and will seriously damage the image and interests of products made in China,'' a statement written in a protest letter by the Beijing Trademark and Patent Agency said.

The EU China Office declined to comment.

Ties between China and Europe have been strained over a series of trade disputes. Last month, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson announced punitive anti-dumping duties for imports of leather shoes from China, while China denounced the EU's charges as groundless.

The protest letter is a part of a campaign organised by the non-official agency and some Internet Web sites to protect Chinese interests.

More than 10,000 Internet users signed the protest letter.

''Hopefully the EU can reject the registration in the end,'' one of the organisers said.

REUTERS SD PM1801