Foreign trade situation 'far from optimistic': MOC

SLOW BUT MORE BALANCED

The ministry predicted that China's foreign trade growth will remain at a low level in the second quarter and be slower than the growth registered last year. "The trade balance situations will further improve," it said.

China will strive to promote steady trade growth, adjust the structure and seek balanced trade this year, according to the ministry.

China should keep its trade policies stable to help companies overcome current difficulties and ensure steady export growth in the short term.

Over the long haul, it will intensify efforts in trade restructuring and upgrading, step up the transformation of the trade development pattern and reinforce the capability for sustained trade growth, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, China will further improve its import policies and set up more platforms for shoring up the country's imports in a bid to make positive contributions in promoting world trade growth and economic recovery.

The MOC on Thursday released a program for foreign trade development during the 12th Five-year Plan (2011-2015) period, saying that China will pursue balanced, progressive and mutually beneficial trade development during the five-year period.

This is the first time for the Chinese government to release a five-year program on foreign trade development.

The plan made seeking mutual benefit and a win-win situation one of its basic principles for trade growth, signaling the country's determination to make trade more balanced during the new era and bring more benefits to its trade partners.