China's trade surplus narrowed by US$5.5 billion in the first nine months to US$13.6 billion, compared with the same period last year, due to slackening demand worldwide.
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)
