Vice Premier urges efforts to boost foreign trade

BEIJING - Vice Premier Wang Yang has urged intensified efforts to boost foreign trade to bolster the country's slowing economy.

After a tour of three high-tech companies in Beijing on Wednesday and Thursday, Wang said China still had an edge in foreign trade despite mounting downward pressure on exports.

Companies should improve their products' quality and make more high value-added products, he said.

The country should give support to export companies, encourage their business model innovation and promote the establishment of cross-border e-commerce pilot areas, Wang said.

China will continue to adjust the structure of foreign trade, and raise its exports to a higher level, he said.

Wang also called for efforts to promote the development of service trade, and improve the country's business environment to protect the legitimate interests of foreign companies.