A commodity breakdown of China's trade shows that fuels accounted for 24% of total exports in 1982,food products for 13%,textile fibers and mineral ores for 7% and manufactured gaods(the most important products were textiles,chemicals and transport equipment)for 55%.Since the founding of People's Republic strong emphasis has been placed on importing capital equipment in order to strengthen the industrial sector.But the leading categories of imports in 1982 were food,which accounted for 22% of the total,light manufactured items with a share of 20% and machinery and transport equipment with 17%.
To be sure,China's trade expansion has not been smooth.This year(1995),Beijing averted U.S.sanctions by settling a dispute over copyright and patent protection.And China won't be joining the WTO unless it opens its markets further to meet global standards.