BEIJING (AP) - China ran a U.S. $3.54 billion trade deficit in the first half of

1993 as imports surged to 23 percent more than the government plan while exports

grew only sluggishly, the Trade Ministry said on July 27.

Ministry official Miao Fuchun, who released the figures at a news conference, said

the government would try to balance trade in the second half by promoting exports

more effectively, not by cutting imports. But even Miao indicated that success was

not likely.