Chinese commerce made a positive contribution to economic growth, reform, restructuring, people's well-being and risk prevention, and got off to a good start in the 13th Five Year Plan period (2016-2020).

SCIO held a press conference on Feb. 21, 2017. [Liu Jian / China SCIO]

Minister of Commerce, Gao Hucheng, made the remarks at a press conference held by the State Council Information office on Feb. 21.

He said consumption has contributed to 64.6 percent of China's economic growth in 2016, up 4.9 percentage point compared with the year before.

Gao said that distribution achieved fast growth while promoting consumption, and also played a bigger role in boosting consumption and reducing cost.

China's foreign trade has also stabilized as the decreasing amplitude has narrowed by 6.1 percentage point. China's foreign trade volume in 2016 stood at 24.3 trillion yuan (3.69 trillion US dollars), dropping by 0.9 percent year-on-year, said the minister.