BEIJING, May 2 -- Vice Minister of Commerce Qian Keming on Monday urged more support for the development of China's foreign trade so as to realize a steady and positive development this year.

To this aim, local authorities should enhance leadership, introduce supporting measures, optimize environment, encourage innovations and promote experience-sharing to push trade growth to get back on track, Qian told a meeting in Guangzhou, the site of the Canton Fair.

Likening these efforts to fighting a "battle," Qian stressed that foreign trade is an important part of the national economy.

To stabilize foreign trade and make it stronger is important to ensure the economy run smoothly and upgrade, he said.

According to a statement issued after a State Council executive meeting in April, several measures were in the pipelines to prop up foreign trade, highlighting structural adjustment, innovation and differentiated policies in different regions.