Chong Quan, deputy international trade representative of China's Ministry of Commerce said at the 2010 China Import Forum on September 6 China will adopt eight measures in three aspects optimizing import structure facilitating inflow of imports and perfecting a promotion system to encourage expansion of imports and promoting trade balance in the future.

In recent years, China has actively expanded imports and provided the rest of the world with a huge market. China has now become the world's second largest importer. China has cut overall import tariffs to 9.8 percent, far lower than the 46.6 percent average of developing countries.

China has basically cancelled quotas on imported goods and controls over automatic import licenses for about 800 taxable items step by step. In the process of coping with the financial crisis, China's huge degree of importing is playing a very important role in stabilizing the world economy. In 2009, China surpassed Japan, Australia, Brazil and South Africa to become the world's largest imports market. From January to July 2010, China's import volumes were valued at US$766.56 billion, up by 47.2 percent compared to the same period the year before, and 11.6 percentage points higher than the growth rate of exports.

The eight measures to encourage the expansion of imports are:

To act on industrial policy requirements to actively import resources, advanced technologies and key equipment;

To properly handle trade frictions and disputes;

To optimize import tariff structure to encourage businesses to expand exports;

To make it more convenient for trade activity and simplify import processes, so cutting the costs of imports;

To continue to improve the service system for importing information, making polices more transparent and creating a better trade environment;

To hold various commercial exhibitions and introductory meetings related to importing so as to boost economic and trade communications between China and the rest of the world;

To actively study and make use of financial and taxation means to support import expansion, such as making financing more easily available to importers; and

To continue to organize various kinds of trade and investment groups to carry out investment and trade promotion activities abroad.