According to statistics provided by the customs China's foreign trade registered $645.03 billion in the first half of this year, increasing by 23.2 percent year on year. Export is valued at $342.34 billion, increasing by 32.7 percent and continuing its high-speed growth of over 30 percent. Import reached $302.69 billion, increasing by 14 percent, 0.3 percentage points higher than at the end of last month.

China's general trade during the first six months witnessed rapid export growth while import growth made a steady rebound. Meanwhile, processing trade was strong both in terms of import and export.

The statistics show that bilateral trade between China and the EU topped $100 billion to reach $100.05 billion, increasing by 23.6 percent. The EU continued to be China's largest trade partner. Guangdong, Jiangsu and Shanghai retained the first three positions in foreign trade.

Guangdong province reported a total foreign trade volume of $187.05 billion in the first six months, increasing by 17.5 percent and accounting for 29 percent of nationwide foreign trade during the same period. It was China's largest trading province.

Jiangsu and Shanghai's foreign trade during the same period were $103.56 billion and $87.16 billion, up by 35.7 percent and 15.5 percent respectively.

Mechanical and electrical products dominated the export and traditional bulk commodities saw good trend of growth.

Export of mechanical and electrical products nationwide reached $186.99 billion, up by 33 percent and accounting for 54.6 percent of the total export during the same period. What is noteworthy is that among traditional bulk commodities garment and accessories, which often gave rise to trade frictions, saw an export of $31.1 billion, increasing by 19.8 percent. Export of textile yarns, fabrics and products registered $19.25 billion, up by 23 percent. Export of shoes was $8.76 billion, increasingly by 23.5 percent. Rapid growths were seen in exports of coal, iron ores and soybeans, and imports of automobiles, steel sheets continued to drop, but more moderately.

By People's Daily Online