BEIJING - China will pursue a balanced, progressive and mutually beneficial foreign trade development from now until the end of 2015, according to an official plan released on Thursday.

The country is going to accomplish substantial headway in promoting steady growth and trade balance, under a program for foreign trade during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) released by the Ministry of Commerce.

Imports and exports are expected to see steady growth during the five years, with total trade volume growing by an average annual rate of around 10 percent and reaching about $4.8 trillion by 2015.

"The trade balance situation will continue to improve," the ministry said.

China will implement an active import strategy and properly handle trade frictions to achieve a win-win situation for all trade partners, according to the plan.