Premier Li says China must expand imports of high-quality goods

BEIJING – China’s Premier, Li Keqiang, has called for greater balance in foreign trade through both promoting exports and importing more high-quality goods. Li said China must expand exports as well as imports of high-tech products and other high-quality goods that give consumers more choice and stimulate domestic companies to produce better products and services.

China Daily reported that Li’s call is in line with his vow to push improved quality and efficiency by deepening reform and expanding opening-up, which he made during a panel discussion with National People's Congress deputies from Shandong on March 6.

Last year, international demand shrank amid the sluggish world economic recovery. But the Chinese economy achieved 6.9% GDP growth in the first quarter, with trade in goods increasing by 21.8% to RMB 6.2 trillion (USD 899 billion) year-on-year, according to figures released by the General Administration of Customs.  www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).