China will advance a string of measures to maintain stable trade growth in 2019, the country's commerce minister said on March 9.

"Besides expanding scale, we should, more importantly, ensure the quality of foreign trade will improve," Zhong Shan, China's Minister of Commerce, told a press conference on the sidelines of the Second Session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Last year, China's total import and export volume hit $4.62 trillion, a record high, with a net increase of $510 billion from 2017.

Zhong said China will stabilize foreign trade by adopting relevant policies and creating a sound environment for state-owned, foreign-funded and private enterprises alike. In addition, it will consolidate traditional markets while exploring emerging ones and promote cooperation with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

"China's trade is huge in scale, but it is not competitive enough," Zhong said, adding that the country will encourage exports of hi-tech, high-quality and high-value-added products, so as to improve its position in the global value chain.

He said the country will also support companies in making technological, institutional and management innovations and turning these advantages into export competiveness.

Copyedited by Rebeca Toledo

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