foreign trade Photo:VCG

China's foreign trade could face some bumps next year, as the growth momentum of the nation's early emergence from the pandemic is fading, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said at a briefing on Monday.

"China's foreign trade outlook could be tough in the first half of next year, as the driving factors are fading," said Wang.

For example, export orders that were directed to China due to its early emergence from the pandemic may be redirected to surrounding countries after they bring the pandemic under control. 

Last year's high base also poses challenges, the minister said.

"Growth is gradually slowing in the second half of the year and could be tough for the next year," he said.

China's export performance weakened in July, official data showed. Exports rose 19.3 percent from a year earlier, compared with a 32.2 percent gain in June.

Wang said that in the second half of this year, the ministry will underscore efforts to enhance cross-cyclical adjustment to keep the range of economic fluctuations within a reasonable range and prevent drastic fluctuations from harming economic growth.

He said that measures will be taken to stabilize market entities and orders, promote new forms and models of foreign trade, ensure the smooth operation of supply chains, and deepen international economic and trade cooperation.

From January to July this year, foreign trade maintained rapid growth momentum with an expansion of 24.5 percent on a yearly basis, the fastest in 10 years.

In 2020, China's foreign trade hit $4.6 trillion to reach 14.7 percent of the international market, a record high. 

The expansion of foreign trade contributed 28 percent to economic growth, creating about 180 million jobs in 2020, according to the Ministry of Commerce.