February 14, China’s machinery exports will grow at a slower pace in 2012 due to global economic woes and rising protectionism, according to Cai Weici, deputy-president of the China Machinery Industry Federation.

The federation expects both machinery imports and exports to expand about 15 percent this year, compared to growth of 24.5 percent and 21.2 percent in 2011, respectively.

The growth rate of machinery exports will continue to fall in the coming years as Europe, an important market for China's machinery industry, is stuck in trouble, Cai said on Monday.

Increasing trade disputes, such as recent U.S. anti-subsidy and anti-dumping probes against Chinese wind power equipment producers, will also worsen the environment for exports, Cai added.

The machinery sector accounts for about 19 percent of the country's total industrial output, according to Cai.