China will continue to boost opening-up in 2014, according to a statement issued after the annual central economic work conference, which ended on Friday.

Traditional export strengths should be maintained and new advantages should be created, the statement said.

Imports of equipment and technology to help with domestic growth and economic restructuring will be increased, it said.

The "construction of systems" and "protection by rules" should be highlighted, and efforts should be made to step up free trade zone negotiations and steadily push forward investment agreement negotiations, according to the statement.

Approval procedures will be simplified for investment to go overseas, it said.

The statement said construction of the economic belt along the Silk Road will be promoted, as well as the "21st century maritime Silk Road."

Between January and November, China's foreign trade gained 7.7 percent year on year to 3.8 trillion U.S. dollars.

China has targeted foreign trade growth of 8 percent year on year for 2013. The target is higher than last year's real growth but below the 10 percent target set for 2012.