Central, western areas to play larger trade role

In 2009, eight high-tech companies were among the top 10 exporters of the top 500 foreign traders, while all 10 places were occupied by high-tech exporters last year.

However, the manufactured exports of the top 500 foreign traders, such as apparel, footwear and primary chemicals, are still at a low level, said the report.

"Rising labor and energy costs and currency appreciation are eroding the comparative advantage of Chinese exporters. Though we are the biggest electronics exporter, we do not have the core technology," said Li Yizhong, head of the China Federation of Industrial Economics.

"Exporters should now extend their industrial chains for higher added value and develop a new competitive edge supported by quality, brand and services while the sluggish world economy challenges China's export-oriented manufacturing industries," he said.

"Some well-developed companies can also go abroad for investment and tap the international market by setting up an overseas sales network and introducing e-commerce," Li added.

In addition, the report revealed that State-owned enterprises are gradually being replaced on the list by private companies.

Although companies from the eastern region dominate the list, their trade volume has fallen in recent years, said the report.

It fell from 98 percent of the total trade volume of the 500 top foreign traders in 2007 to 92.85 percent last year, according to the report.

A total of 455 companies on the list came from the eastern region last year, 10 less than in the previous year. The central region accounted for 21 in 2009 and 24 last year, while the number in the western region increased from 12 in 2010 to 21 last year, said the report.

lijiabao@chinadaily.com.cn