Yuan level not a main support for exports-minister

BEIJING (Reuters) - China should keep the yuan basically stable and cannot rely on its exchange rate as a primary support for exports, Commerce Minister Chen Deming said on Thursday.

The yuan CNY=CFXS has been basically flat against the dollar in recent weeks, even as the dollar has lost strength against major currencies.

Exports in November fell 2.2 percent from a year earlier, their first fall in many years, as overseas demand shrank in the wake of the global financial crisis. The fall in exports has prompted some calls for Beijing to let the yuan weaken to aid the sector.

"The renminbi exchange rate should be quite stable, because given our situation, everybody needs stability," Chen told reporters ahead of a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening.

"There are many ways that we will use to maintain export growth, but we will not mainly rely on that method," he said.

Chen added that China was looking to maintain not only export growth but also import growth, citing the mutual dependence of countries around the world.

Imports in November plunged 17.9 percent from a year earlier, especially hitting neighbouring countries such as South Korea and Japan.

Chen added that China would continue to open its market in line with World Trade Organisation rules.

(Reporting by Simon Rabinovitch; Writing by Jason Subler, Editing by Jacqueline Wong)