Arabic nations have become China's eighth biggest trade partner, the seventh biggest export market and import source last year, People's Daily reporter learned Wednesday from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

The trade volume between China and Arabic countries amounted to 46.38 billion US dollars in the first 11 months of last year, up 39 per cent over the same period of the previous year, according to statistics.

During the same period, China imported 50.52 million tons of crude oil from Arabic nations, accounting for 44 per cent of its total oil imports. The imported crude oil was worth 18.97 billion US dollars, making up 44 per cent of China's total imports of oil. Arabic nations have become the country's biggest oil supply source.

The number of China's contracted laborers in the nations reached 156,000 by the end of last year.

By People's Daily Online