The surplus, which rose 74 percent last year to a record $177.47 billion, is drawing the ire of lawmakers in Washington, who see it as proof that China is unfairly holding down the yuan to give its exporters an advantage in global markets.

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"China does not want to see too large a trade surplus this year," Bo told reporters ahead of the opening of the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's parliament.

"Under the conditions of overall stability, we're making adjustments in some areas to realize balanced development of trade," he said.

Bo also said showed openness to discussing trade complaints against China.

"As mature trading nations, it is normal to discuss some trade problems in the context of the World Trade Organization -- in a multilateral framework," he said.

China's parliament is also set to pass a corporate income tax law that will equalize tax rates for local and foreign firms at around 25 percent, a move Bo said would create a more fair and competitive environment for domestic firms and foreign firms operating in China.

Domestic firms now generally pay 33 percent and foreign firms 15 percent tax.

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