(Yicai Global) Dec. 9 -- China's foreign trade decreased in November while imports rose slightly from a year ago.

China's imports climbed 0.3 percent to USD183 billion from a year earlier while exports fell 1.1 percent to USD221.7 billion, the General Administration of Customs said in a statement yesterday. The total value of trade dropped 0.5 percent to USD404.8 billion.

In the first 11 months of this year, trade narrowed by 2.2 percent to USD4.14 trillion. Exports were flat at USD2.26 trillion. Imports fell 4.5 percent to USD1.88 trillion.

The EU retained its lead as China's top trading partner during the 11 months as both exports and imports spurred the total tally to rise by 2.8 percent USD639.3billion. However, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations narrowed the gap with a climb of 7.5 percent to USD578 billion.

China's exchange of goods with the US, its third-biggest trading partner, fell 15.2 percent to USD494.5 billion. Imports tumbled as much as 23.3 percent to USD111 billion while exports dropped 12.5 percent to USD383.5 billion.

Imports of commodities, such as crude oil, coal, and natural gas increased over the 11 months. China bought nearly 11 percent more foreign crude at 462 million tons. Its coal imports rose 10 percent. Meanwhile, the country purchased less overseas soybean and iron ore.

China's exports of clothing, furniture and toys remained flat over the same period. That tally for mechanical and electrical products fell marginally.

Editor: Emmi Laine