China's 2005 global trade surplus is forecast to surpass 70 billion dollars, up from 32 billion dollars last year.

The official International Business Daily reports that the figure would include a surplus with the United States of some 100 billion dollars, or 190 billion dollars under US government calculation methods.

The newspaper urges the government to take measures to increase imports to narrow the trade gap. It also recommends increased government overseas purchases, particularly capital goods and major agricultural products.

The import growth has slowed down, running at only 14 percent in the first five months of the year and down from 40 percent last year, as the country takes in less energy, raw materials and agricultural products.

Source: CRI news