European Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson on Thursday unveiled his plan of increasing quotas for Chinese textile imports this year, in a bid to unblock 75 million items of Chinese textile stockpiles at major European ports.

According to a copy of his draft proposal, Mandelson is seeking approval to add 140 million extra garments to allowances approved in June. His plans would almost double the number of Chinese sweaters permitted to enter the EU and boost the limit on men's pants by a quarter.

"The College today gave me strong and united support in the approach. I am taking in dealing with the problem of blocked goods, I welcome this," Mandelson told a press conference held at the European Commission (EC) headquarters on Thursday afternoon.

It is still not clear whether the increase of the quotas would be at the price of next year. Last weekend, EU trade representatives failed to win agreement from China to write off some of the 2006 quota against this year's increases.

However, Mandelson's plan urged EU member states to allow the blocked shipments in without waiting for any concessions the Chinese might grant later.

Yet, the plan is still under discussion by the European Union (EU) member states.

"I maintain my insistence that goods held at the border must be unblocked and I hope that Member States will accept this and I expect them to do so," Mandelson said.

He hoped the ongoing negotiations among EU states would lead to an agreement at no later than Friday.

Mandelson, who will fly to China on Sunday to attend the eighth EU-China Summit slated to be held in Beijing on Monday, said he would further discuss the issue with his Chinese counterparts.

Source: Xinhua