Pressure for RMB appreciation dismissed

Wen said China would not yield to pressure for the appreciation of its currency, the yuan or renminbi, in any form.

"A stable Chinese currency benefits the international community."

Some countries demanded yuan appreciation while practicing trade protectionism against China, said Wen, adding that these were aimed at checking China's development.

"They (some countries) create trade barriers in various ways, putting great pressure on Chinese export-led enterprises," Wen said.

"China will work with other countries to curb trade protectionism and push forward the Doha Round of trade negotiations," Wen said.

Figures from the Ministry of Commerce showed that at the end of November, 19 countries and regions had launched 103 trade-related investigations against Chinese products. Both the number of the cases and the money involved was at record high.

In the first 11 months, China's foreign trade totaled US$1.96 trillion, down 17.5 percent from the same period last year.

Exports stood at US$1.07 trillion, down 18.8 percent year on year, and imports at US$893.02 billion, down 15.8 percent, according to the General Administration of Customs.

China should adjust its export structure and improve the quality of products to maintain export share in the international market, Wen said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 28, 2009)