CHINA'S trade will face "very severe" conditions in the first quarter next year, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.

"The external economic climate will become very complicated next year, and exports are set to slow," Shen Danyang said. "We will further accelerate reforms to achieve a better balanced trade and make overall trade remain a positive contribution to the economy."

China's exports grew at their slowest pace in nine months in November due to shrinking overseas demand.