BEIJING - Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli on Tuesday stressed the importance of customs tariffs and called for tariff improvements.

Customs tariffs are a key vehicle for regulating economic activity, and tariffs and import linkage taxes are important sources of revenue and play a special role in China's reform and opening up, Zhang said at the first plenary meeting of the Sixth Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council.

Though China's general tariff level has lowered to 9.8 percent, there is more room for tariff regulation as China has become the second largest economy and a key player in exports and imports, Zhang said.

More efforts should be made to study tariff policies and leverage tariffs to manage advantages in global and domestic markets, Zhang said.

Tariffs should be given full reign in their role to stabilize the economy, improve economic transformation, and promote healthy growth of key sectors, Zhang said.

The country should use trade remedies reasonably, actively deal with trade protectionism, handle trade frictions properly and protect the rights of Chinese enterprises, Zhang said.

The meeting was chaired by Lou Jiwei, China's finance minister and head of the commission.