China says it will adjust several import and export taxes effective June in an effort to rein in its ballooning trade surplus. The State Council made the announcement, saying the country will impose export tax on over 140 kinds of goods, while over 200 types of imported products will be temporarily levied lower duties.

The export tax will increase by 5 to 10 percent for 80 kinds of steel products including pig iron, nickel, tungsten. China will also raise export tax on some minor metals and coal tar. Meanwhile, the country will temporarily lower import duties for fuel oil to between zero to three percent, from the current six percent.

To further boost the domestic market, the government is also lowering duties on some consumer goods such as baby-food, construction materials and household appliances. The announcement comes ahead of a Strategic Economic Dialogue between high-level Chinese and U.S. officials in Washington this week. China's huge trade surplus continues to be a sticking point between the two sides.

Editor:Li Yang