China's foreign trade continues positive growth pattern
China's foreign trade in goods stood at 3.29 trillion yuan ($508.63 billion) In June, up 22 percent from a year earlier, marking the thirteen consecutive month with positive year-on-year growth according to data released by the General Administration of Customs on Tuesday.
Total foreign trade in goods totaled 18.07 trillion yuan during the first half of the year, up 27.1 percent from a year prior.
Exports surged 28.1 percent year-on-year to 9.85 trillion yuan, and imports by 25.9 percent to 8.22 trillion yuan.
Compared to the same period in 2019, the nation's total foreign trade, exports and imports expanded by 22.8, 23.8 and 21.7 percent, respectively.
China's foreign trade with major trading partners has also maintained a sound growth momentum.
Its trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the European Union and the United States reached 2.66, 2.52 and 2.21 trillion yuan during the first six months of the year, respectively. That meant year-on-year growth rates of 27.8,26.7 and 34.6 percent.
Trade with Japan totaled 1.18 trillion yuan, up 14.5 percent during the period, while trade with the Belt and Road Initiative economies and member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership increased by 27.5 and 22.7 percent, respectively.