The decline in China's imports has nothing to do with trade protectionism, but is a result of the country's falling exports due to shrinking overseas orders amid the global economic slowdown, a senior economist said.
China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) has selected two major coal-to-gas projects and the company is expected to generate 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas from coal in the next five years.
The chances of a widespread inflation in China seem unlikely given the country's surplus production capacity, but the central government should be cautious against asset price bubbles.
Developed countries' proposals to impose "carbon tariffs" on imports will violate WTO rules and go against the spirit of the Kyoto Protocol, said the Ministry of Commerce.
Canadian mining company Teck Resources Ltd. said Friday it is selling a 17 percent stake to China Investment Corp. for $1.5 billion in a bid to reduce its debt.
