THE government will introduce temporary tariffs on 110 energy-consuming export goods in a move to curb its soaring trade surplus and preserve energy.

As part of the same policy, which takes effect today, import duties on 58 imported products will be cut, the China Daily reported, citing the finance ministry.

“Clearly, this move shows that the Chinese authorities now attach more importance to external trade balance and domestic industrial restructuring than merely double-digit trade growth,” the paper’s editorial commented.

The hike of export taxes and cut in import duties will “put a drag on the country’s soaring trade surplus”, it added.

China’s trade surplus reached US$110 billion in the first nine months of the year, already beating the record US$102 billion surplus for all of 2005.

While characterizing the tariffs as “temporary,” the paper did not say when they will expire.

Five percent export tariffs will be imposed on oil, coal, coke and crude oil while 10 percent will apply to non-ferrous metals, some minerals and 27 other iron and steel products, the report said.

Wooden flooring, disposable chopsticks will also be taxed at 10 percent while 15 percent will be charged on copper, nickel and other metallurgical products, it said.

Import tariffs on a range of items, including 26 energy and resource products such as oil, coal and aluminum, will be cut.

The policy is also expected to rein in exports which rely heavily on energy and resources and put a brake on the development of energy-intensive industries, the paper said.

The policy will boost energy efficiency and keep manufacturers away from energy-intensive sectors, it said.(SD-Agencies)