The China-Japan trade rose by 12.7% to reach 189.3 billion US dollars last year, hitting a new high for seven year in a row, according to statistics released by Japan External Trade Organization.

The statistics show though trade volume between the two countries continued to surge last year, the growth slowed down compared with 2003's 30.4% and 2004's 26.9%.

In 2005, Japan's exports to China amounted to 80.3 billion US dollars, a rise of 8.9% over the year before and the imports from China hit 109 billion US dollars, up 15.7% over 2004.

In terms of goods category, Japan's exports to China are mainly parts of camera and imaging products and other electronics wares. Imports from China are mainly computer, portable digital music player and others.

The organization estimates that the trade volume between China and Japan will reach 200 billion US dollars this year, but the growth will continue to slow. If the trade volume with Hong Kong included, China and Japan's trade volume has surpassed that of the China-US's for two consecutive years. China is now Japan's largest trade partner.

By People's Daily Online