Nation set to miss 10% trade target, but see moderate recovery

China may miss the 10 percent growth target for its trade sector this year, but will see moderate recovery next year amid still sluggish external demand, China's top trade official said on Wednesday.

"Trade growth speed may be slower than the goal we set at the beginning of the year, but China's share of global trade will remain at a steady level, if not further expanded," said Commerce Minister Chen Deming.

Although Chen said a more precise estimate won't be ready until the entire year's trade data is released, he suggested the situation will improve in 2013, in which growth in the second half will also be faster than in the first.