国内英语新闻:China's import drive to be launched

The country will also streamline non-tariff measures that could potentially impede imports, simplify import procedures and reduce relevant costs, he said, adding that China has abolished import licenses for more than 800 kinds of goods over the past five years. It will also consider providing easier finance for importers, he said.

In line with the import drive, the Ministry of Commerce will also set up an exhibition center for African products in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, in November, Chong said.

"It aims to help African countries expand exports to China."

China, meanwhile, has taken aggressive measures to restructure its economy, shifting to a domestic demand-driven growth model.

Chong said China's imports had played an important role in stabilizing the global economy.

The US' trade deficit is caused mainly by restrictive export policies, officials and experts present at the forum said. The US does not permit the export of some high-tech products to China, citing security reasons.

China's domestic market is expected to reach $2 trillion in size this year, compared to imports of goods worth about $1 trillion in 2009, Chong said.

"If they continue their restrictive policies, some countries will have cause to regret when they find they have lost their share of the burgeoning China market," Yu Danhua, foreign trade bureau chief of Ningbo in Zhejiang province, told the forum.