According to China Customs, the total value of China's foreign trade was US$457.74 billion in the first quarter of this year, up 23.3% from last year. Export was valued at US$252.09 billion, up 27.8%; import was valued at US$205.65 billion, up 18.2 percent.

In the first quarter, the value of China's general export and import trade was US$199.74 billion, up 27.4%. The value of the processing trade hit US$211.58 billion, up 18.8%; export of mechanical and electronic products was valued at US$147.25 billion, up 28.5 percent, comprising 58.4 percent of the total export trade value. Primary products were imported at a cost of US$49.32 billion, up 15.4%; industrial products were imported for US$156.34 billion, up 19.1 percent.

By People's Daily Online