China to seek to reduce its external trade surplus

China will increase efforts to boost imports this year as it bids to keep its trade surplus under control, said China's Ministry of Commerce in February 17.
 
According to Chinese customs figures, China's trade surplus in January decreased by 53.5 percent year on year to $6.46 billion. In the month in question, imports surged by 51 percent year on year to $144.3 billion, while exports rose by 37.7 percent to $150.7 billion.
 
Yao Jian, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, said the government will take measures to further balance China's external trade. "Recent years have seen the growing importance of China in global trade and economic activity. We have endeavored to maintain stable and balanced trade from 2008 to 2010, and we will continue to do so this year," Mr. Yao said.