BEIJING, May 22 -- China will cut import tariffs on vehicles and auto parts starting July 1, the Ministry of Finance announced Tuesday.

For car imports, the 25-percent tariff levied on 135 items and the 20-percent duty on four items will both be slashed to 15 percent.

Import tariffs for 79 items of auto parts will be reduced to 6 percent from the current levels of 8 percent, 10 percent, 15 percent, 20 percent, and 25 percent.