BEIJING - China does not intend to pursue a large and continuous trade surplus, Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Chao said Friday.

Speaking at a forum commemorating the 10th anniversary of China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), Wang called for other nations to relax unnecessary restrictions on exports.

"The Chinese government does not want a large and continuous trade surplus and will continue to reform its import system to make trade more free and convenient," he said.

He reiterated that China will stick to a policy of opening up its market and expanding market entry.

China's trade surplus for August stood at 17.75 billion U.S. dollars, down from 31.48 billion U.S. dollars in July, as imports have surged to record levels since March, the General Administration of Customs said last week.

The trade surplus shrank to 92.73 billion U.S. dollars between January and August, down 10 percent year-on-year.

Wang called on all WTO members to make more efforts to rejuvenate the global economy and give a boost to the Doha talks.