China's assistant minister of commerce Guo Li has said China's exporters are facing serious challenges as other countries impose tougher import restrictions to protect their domestic markets.

Statistics show that China's agricultural products export volume to Japan has reduced by US$2.3 billion since Japan raised quarantine standards enforced by law. The European Union is still imposing restrictions against China's animal-based goods. The USA will begin a registration and declaration system on food imports from this coming December. And Russia implemented a quota system on meat imports this year.

In 2002 alone, 71 percent of export oriented companies in China were affected by such trade barriers, with a total loss of US$17 billion. Chinese companies should face the trend and take active measures to increase their own competitiveness and adjust themselves to the tougher trade environment.

(cctv.com.cn August 17, 2003)