Foreign trade via the northern Chinese port of Tianjin totaled US$7.21 billion in January, up 23.7 percent over the same period last year, according to local customs.

Its imports stood at US$3.21 billion, a surge of 40.5 percent over January 2005. Meanwhile, its exports rose 12.9 percent to reach US$40 billion.

Foreign-funded businesses contributed to 49.7 percent of the total trade volume, with the amount rising by 32.6 percent to US$3.58 billion.

Exports of electric and mechanical products increased by 33.4 percent to US$1.81 billion, accounting for 45.3 percent of the total exports in the Tianjin port.

Statistics from Tianjin Customs indicated that imports of resource products like iron ore and steel also registered a two-digit rise.

The United States, the European Union (EU), Japan and the Republic of Korea are the four biggest trade partners for Tianjin port. Their trade volume via the port in January numbered US$4.49 billion, which accounted for 62.3 percent of the total trade volume.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2006)