Anti-dumping cases against Chinese manufacturers by foreign countries, including India, have crossed 500 by the end of 2002, costing China billions of dollars in lost export revenues.

The number of anti-dumping cases against China accounts for 14 per cent of the world's total, ranking it first in the world, Wang Qinhua, chief of bureau of industry injury investigation of ministry of commerce said.

Trade protectionism through anti-dumping suits around the world is growing, exerting new pressure on China's foreign trade and this has become one of the major obstacles for the development of China's foreign trade, he was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

The number of anti-dumping cases lodged by countries against Chinese manufacturers reached 55 in 2001, a record high, and the figure stood at 47 in 2002, Wang said.