BEIJING -- China faces a pessimistic foreign trade outlook in light of global economic turmoil, rising labor and raw material costs and mounting pressure regarding the appreciation of the yuan, a senior commerce official said Friday.

Although the country has maintained steady growth in foreign trade so far this year, it is facing "very challenging trade conditions," said Zhong Shan, vice commerce minister.

China's October foreign trade fell 8.3 percent from September to reach $297.95 billion, while its export growth dropped for a third straight month to stand at 15.9 percent, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

Eurozone debt woes, a downgraded US credit rating and challenging domestic business conditions will bring uncertainties for the country's foreign trade, he said.

Zhong said China will continue to boost imports over the next five years, adding that he hopes other countries will lift restrictions on exports to China in order to promote bilateral trade.