China Promises Steps to Boost Imports

China's Premier Wen Jiabao leaves after his annual news conference following the closing session of the National People's Congress in Beijing's Great Hall of the People Sunday, March 14, 2010. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

(AP)

China's premier promised Sunday to increase imports to promote trade and appealed to other nations to oppose what he said was rising global protectionism.

"We will continue to take measures to increase our imports," Premier Wen Jiabao said at a news conference. He gave no details of what Beijing might do but said it would pursue "basic equilibrium in our balance of international payments."

Wen complained that other countries were trying to boost their exports by weakening their currencies. He did not name the countries.

"This is trade protectionism," he said. "After the onset of the global financial crisis, trade protectionism did not dissipate; rather, it has gotten worse. All countries should be alarmed."

Wen called on the United States and Europe to boost trade by easing curbs on exports of some high-tech goods to China.

Western governments limit sales of "dual use" technologies with military applications to China. American officials say allowing Beijing to purchase such goods would narrow the U.S. trade deficit with China by only a few billion dollars.

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