Two of China's top economic officials separately visited parts of the country hit by weakening exports and promised to foster better business conditions, state media reported on Saturday.
Commerce Minister Chen Deming's trip to Zhejiang province and Vice Premier Wang Qishan's trip to Shandong province seemed aimed to send a message to the country's exporters that Beijing has their interests at heart as the global economy slows. "We will require that relevant departments, in their service and management, do everything possible to help firms overcome difficulties," Wang was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
Exporters have said they are facing their toughest year in memory because of the combination of soft global demand and rising domestic costs from dearer labour and a stronger yuan. After three years of explosive growth, China's trade surplus has begun to narrow. Its rolling 12-month surplus was $254.7 billion in May, down from $262.2 billion in 2007.
"The Ministry of Commerce will earnestly listen to the opinions and recommendations of local governments, industry associations and firms," Chen said in a statement on the ministry's website. "We will bring about advantageous conditions for the stable development of commercial work."
There has been some speculation that China may restore export tax rebates that were cut in recent years, but neither official announced any policy changes, instead calling on manufacturers to improve their own competitiveness. Wang also said that China would continue to implement a tight monetary policy. Some investors and firms have been holding out hope for relief from a relaxation of the tightening campaign, declared late last year.