Outlining four major tasks for the future, Zhu said in Guangzhou a multi-outlet export strategy will be implemented. Trade departments should open new markets with high potential, readjust export structure and improve product quality to raise the competitiveness of Chinese products.

All departments including foreign trade, customs, commodity inspection, taxation and banks should strengthen their efforts, he said at a discussion on foreign trade held recently in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province.

State policies for export will be enforced conscientiously. Market economic order should be rectified and crackdowns will be launched on smuggling, production and sale of fake products and tax fraud, he added.

At present, foreign investors are closely watching China's economic development. China should seize the opportunity to guide foreign investment and optimize investment structure, Zhu said.

(People's Daily October 19, 2001)