May, while the European Union has warned Beijing to cut its textile exports or face formal curbs. China is keen to support an industry that employs 19 million people and is a vital cog in its export-oriented economy. U.S. curbs may cost China $2 billion and affect the lives of 400,000 workers, a senior official at a Chinese textile industry trade association was quoted as saying in state media on Friday. Another official, secretary general Wang Yu of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles, told Reuters: "EU quotas would inflict about 1.4 billion yuan in immediate losses on the industry and force the lay-off of up to 100,000 workers. --More 1002 Local Time 0702 GMT
