The Ministry of Commerce released the "Report on the Situation of China's Foreign Trade (Autumn 2017)" on the 6th. According to the report, the growth rate of China's import and export may be slowed down in the fourth quarter of this year. However, the annual foreign trade import and export can achieve the expected goal of stabilizing. In 2018, the development of foreign trade faces both new opportunities and many challenges. At present and for some time to come, the long-term good fundamentals of China's foreign trade have not changed.

Regarding the foreign trade situation in the fourth quarter of this year and the whole year, the report considers that the development of China's foreign trade in the fourth quarter faces both favorable conditions and restrictive factors. The global economy is accelerating its expansion and international trade has obviously recovered. However, there are still unstable and uncertainties in the international market.

The report said that the same period in 2016 high base will affect the fourth quarter import and export growth. In 2016, the import and export of China showed a low level and a high level, with a steady trend by quarter. In the fourth quarter, the import and export volume went from 2.6% in the first three quarters to 3.8% in the fourth quarter. Affected by this, the growth rate of import and export in the fourth quarter of 2017 may be slowed down.

Comprehensive analysis shows that in the fourth quarter, the fundamentals for steady development of China's foreign trade have not changed. The foreign trade import and export throughout the year can achieve the expected goal of stabilizing and improving. The structure of the foreign trade is further optimized, and the quality and efficiency of development are continuously improved.

Looking forward to 2018, with the steady recovery of the world economy and the steady growth of China's economy, the overall demand environment and development conditions for China's foreign trade are generally favorable. However, there are still many external risks and uncertainties. Economic and non-economic factors are intertwined. As trade protectionism continues to rise, domestic factor costs continue to rise. As a result, business pressures have increased and China's foreign trade development still faces many difficulties and challenges.

At present and for a period of time to come, China's foreign trade is at a crucial stage of accelerating structural readjustment and continuing transformation of old and new kinetic energy, and its long-term and good fundamentals have not changed.