CRI听力:White Paper Highlights Sustainable Development Mode for Foreign Trade

The white paper, issued during the 10th anniversary of China's WTO accession, says China is not intentionally seeking a surplus in its foreign trade, and states that the country's trade surplus is a result of globalization and the international division of labor.
 
The papers also says China is seeking a sustainable development mode for its foreign trade, as emerging problems, such as rising production costs and environmental damage, lead to such a choice. Intellectual property protection and product quality are among two other pressing issues the government will seek to address in its pursuit of sustainable growth.

Chong Quan, deputy representative for China's international trade talks, elaborates on the issue.

"Through fostering a comprehensive competitive edge in foreign trade development, China will increase the speed of the transformation of foreign trade's development mode by accelerating energy conservation and emission reduction, enhancing intellectual property protection, improving the quality of export goods and safety standards, promoting the social responsibility awareness of export enterprises, and promoting international cooperation among new industries. By doing this, China is trying hard to realize a sustainable development mode for foreign trade."

According to the paper, the total value of China's imports and exports reached almost 3 trillion U.S. dollars last year, 144 times as much as in 1978 when the country initiated its reform and opening up policy, averaging an annual growth of 16.8 percent.

The fast growing foreign trade has not only bolstered China's economic growth, but also contributed to the world economy, as the country's imports averaged 750 billion U.S. dollars annually during the past 10 years, creating more than 14 million jobs for its trading partners.

Chong has also highlighted China's role in contributing to the global economy.

"China has increased its proportion in global foreign trade from 4.3% to 10.4% over the past decade since its accession to the WTO. It has grown into the biggest exporter and second biggest importer worldwide. The ministry of commerce predicts, China's import volume will amount to 8,000 billion US dollars in the next 5 years. China has become an important force contributing to the steady growth of the global economy and has made a critical contribution to the global economic recovery."

Despite the achievements made over the past few years, China's Ministry of Commerce warns that the country will face a 'severe export situation' next year, as the consumption market in the U.S. and Europe is unlikely to witness a fundamentally positive change, while the domestic market will experience the same difficulties in service costs as it did this year.

The ministry also says China has been paying particular attention to boosting imports from the United States and Europe.

For CRI, I'm Suyi.