The State Council decided last Week to further cut tariffs on a number of imported goods starting July 1.

The decision, at an executive meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang, was described as continuing the country's opening-up to benefit domestic consumers and boost industrial transformation.

Average tariff rates for clothes, shoes, hats, kitchenware and sports products will be reduced to 7.1% from the current 15.9%, according to a statement released after the meeting.

Average rates for household appliances like washing machines and refrigerators will drop to 8%, 12.5 percentage points lower.

Tariffs on aquatic products and mineral water will be 6.9% on average, down from the existing 15.2%, while those on cleaning products, cosmetics and some healthcare products will be levied at 2.9%, down from the present 8.4%.

Further tariff cuts will be beneficial to opening-up and meet public demand, which will also push forward quality improvements and industrial upgrading, the statement said.

It also said related departments should strictly carry out the policy and prevent any price increases by middlemen as a result.