CHINA'S industrial competitiveness will remain strong this year despite the country facing rising production costs and rivalry from developing nations in labor-intensive sectors, says a blue book released yesterday.

Published by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a government think tank, the book says China's industrial competitiveness will keep rising due to its abundant labor force and a well-built industrial network.

Entitled "Annual Report Industrial Competitiveness of China (2013)," the book says that a relatively stable global market will help the country's exports to grow.

There is little chance of a deterioration in the developed economies, the momentum of economic growth in developing countries will remain, and southeast Asia and Africa will grow relatively fast, it adds.

However, it points out, 18 Chinese industries - mostly energy-intensive and highly polluting sectors, or related to agricultural products and natural resources - have seen their competitiveness decline in recent years amid the country's economic restructuring.

But 26 Chinese industries, mostly in mechanical equipment and chemical, have become more competitive.