Official recognition that foreign technology could play a major role in modernising the Chinese economy had caused imports to rise by more than 50 percent in 1978 placing undue strain on the national economy. Why did the more than 50％ rise in imports

Official recognition that foreign technology could play a major role in modernising the Chinese economy had caused imports to rise by more than 50 percent in 1978 placing undue strain on the national economy. Why did the more than 50％ rise in imports of 1978 place undue strain on China’s national economy? (课文内容)

More foreign exchange is required for more imports. All sections of China’s national economy would have to work harder and better to export and earn more for the imports increased.