China cut its 2008 export quotas for tin, tungsten and antimony, the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday, as the nation seeks to reduce its trade surplus and meet local demand for raw materials.

The country will allow exports of 33,300 tons of tin next year, the ministry said, down from 37,000 tons in 2007. The export quota for tungsten is 14,900 tons, compared with 15,400 tons in 2007, and for antimony 59,900 tons versus 61,800 tons.