Foreign trade topped 1 billion US dollars between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2004, local customs statistics show.

The figure is 21 percent up from the previous year, including 640 million US dollars of exports, up 15.1 percent from the previous year, and 360 million US dollars of imports, up 32.8 percent from the previous year.

Guangxi registered 4 billion US dollars of foreign trade in 2004, up 34.3 percent from the previous year.

ASEAN has been Guangxi's largest trade partner for six years running. The region has maintained stable economic partnership with Japan and other traditional markets in 2004, while exploring new markets in Africa and Latin America.

Exports from Guangxi mainly are non-ferrous metal, textiles, fruits and vegetables.