Country has conformed to the trend of globalization by opening wider to the outside world and promoting international economic cooperation

Editor's note: The Information Office of the State Council on Wednesday published a white paper titled "China's Foreign Trade". Following is the full text:

Foreword

Peace, development and cooperation are the trends in today's world. Since the adoption of the reform and opening up policy more than 30 years ago, China has conformed to the trend of economic globalization by opening wider to the outside world and promoting economic and trade cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. Through years of development, foreign trade has become one of China's most dynamic and fastest-growing sectors, placing China among the world's largest trade countries. China's foreign trade development has strengthened the nation's ties with the rest of the world, effectively pushed forward the country's modernization, and promoted world prosperity and progress.

China entered the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001. During the past decade, China has quickened its integration into the global economy while its foreign trade has been further invigorated. On the 10th anniversary of China's accession to the WTO, the Chinese government issues this White Paper to give a comprehensive introduction to China's foreign trade development.

I. Historic progress in China's foreign trade

II. Reform of and improvements to China's foreign trade system

III. The development of China's foreign trade contributes to the world economy

IV. Promoting basically balanced growth of foreign trade

V. Constructing all-round economic and trade partnerships with mutually beneficial cooperation

VI. Realizing sustainable development of foreign trade

Conclusion

At present, the underlying impact of the international financial crisis, the protracted, arduous and complicated nature of the world economic recovery is manifesting itself, and the global economic structure and trade layout face in-depth readjustment. China will make new adjustments to its foreign trade, in an effort to turn foreign trade from scale expansion to quality and profit improvement, and from mainly relying on its low-cost advantage to enhancing its comprehensive competitive edge, thereby turning China from a big trading country to a strong trading power.

China's foreign trade is still hampered by many uncertainties and is bound to meet new difficulties and challenges. During the 12th Five-Year Plan period China will open itself wider to the outside world as a driver for further reform, development and innovation, make full use of its advantages, strengthen international cooperation in all respects, and integrate itself into the world economy on a wider scale and at a higher level. China is willing to work with its trading partners to cope with the various challenges facing the world economy and trade, and promote its foreign trade to realize a more balanced, coordinated and sustainable development, and share prosperity and mutually-beneficial results with its trading partners.