The latest statistics released by the General Administration of Chinese Customs showed exports during the period through September had reached US$194.98 billion, a 7 percent increase over a year ago, while imports grew 11.2 percent to US$181.39 billion.

The nation's exports rose only 4.9 percent year-on-year in September alone.

Trade of processed products using imported materials grew 4.1 percent to US$175.72 billion.

Exports in this category surged 6.6 percent from a year ago to US$107.22, while imports edged up 0.4 percent to US$68.49 billion.

Imports and exports at overseas-funded enterprises jumped in the first three quarters, with their trade volume increasing 11.1 percent to US$189.76 billion, accounting for 50.4 percent of the total.

China exported goods worth US$40.31 billion to the United States during the period, up 4.8 percent from a year ago. Exports to Hong Kong rose 2.9 percent to US$33.68 billion. Exports to Taiwan, however, dropped 2.4 percent to US$3.62 billion.

Japan remained China's largest trading partner in the first nine months, with a total trade volume of US$64.74 billion.

Shanghai posted a 12.5 percent growth in exports in the period, 5.5 percentage points higher than the national figure.

Shanghai Customs said exports through the Port of Shanghai were valued at US$51.3 billion in the first three quarters, up 14.2 percent from the same period last year. Imports increased 14.9 percent from a year earlier to US$39.7 billion. The figures are the broadest measure of trade deals, including those from other parts of the country.

(Eastday.com 10//15/2001)