China's Foreign Trade: Imports and exports maintain momentum in Q1

World
Europe

China's foreign trade registered rapid growth in the first quarter of this year. And despite challenges, officials say foreign trade flows are expected to keep good momentum. CGTN's Zheng Yibing reports.

China's trade performance got off to a strong start this year. In the first quarter, China's foreign trade volume stood at 6.75 trillion yuan, an increase of 9.4 percent year-on-year. Exports increased by 7.4 percent to 3.54 trillion yuan, and imports grew by 11.7% to 3.21 trillion yuan. The trade surplus shrank by 21.8 percent to 326 billion yuan.

HUANG SONGPING SPOKESPERSON, GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF CUSTOMS "This year, as the world economy keeps recovering and the domestic economy steadily improves, China's imports and exports registered rapid growth in the first quarter."

During this period, imports and exports to the EU, the US and ASEAN countries increased. However, officials said the on-going trade frictions between Beijing and Washington, should be solved in a legal manner.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. Beijing says that it will continue with opening-up measures, through a commitment to reducing tariffs, broadening market access and expanding imports. For this, concrete measures will be put into position, including convenient and quick customs clearance procedures.

HUANG SONGPING SPOKESPERSON, GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF CUSTOMS "We will facilitate making trade and investment convenient, make all customs' measures effective, and give impetus to foreign trade."

ZHENG YIBING BEIJING "As officials said, China is committed to continued opening-up. That will offer a broader market, more abundant capital and goods, and more cooperation opportunities to the world. ZHENG YIBING CGTN BEIJING."