(Yicai) Oct. 14 -- China’s international trade reached CNY11.82 trillion (USD1.66 trillion) in the third quarter, up six percent from a year earlier and marking the eighth consecutive quarterly increase, according to official data.

China’s foreign trade in goods rose 1.3 percent in the first quarter and 4.5 percent in the second, indicating gathering momentum as the year progresses, Wang Jun, deputy director of the General Administration of Customs, said at a press conference yesterday.

In the nine months ended Aug. 31, trade rose 4 percent to CNY33.61 trillion (USD4.71 trillion). Exports gained 7.1 percent to CNY19.95 trillion, while imports dipped 0.2 percent to CNY13.66 trillion. Measured in US dollars, trade rose 3.1 percent to USD4.7 trillion, with exports up 6.1 percent at USD2.8 trillion and imports down 1.1 percent at USD1.9 trillion.

Mechanical and electrical product exports amounted to CNY12.07 trillion, up 9.6 percent year on year and accounting for nearly 61 percent of all outbound shipments. Sales of new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products -- the so-called new trio -- along with green products, such as electric locomotives, all recorded double-digit growth.

China exported over CNY50 billion (USD7 billion) of holiday goods, dolls, and animal-shaped toys to more than 200 countries and regions in the period, Wang said, adding that the global popularity of these “trendy domestic goods” reflects the influence of Chinese traditional culture, the creativity of foreign trade enterprises, and the manufacturing strength of “Made in China.”

The number of active foreign trade companies reached 700,000 in the first three quarters, already surpassing last year’s full count. Private firms handled ¥19.16 trillion in trade, rising 7.8%, thus continuing as China’s dominant foreign trade actors.

The number of Chinese companies with actual import and export activity for the first time reached 700,000 by September, exceeding last year’s total. 

Commenting on the weaker import growth, GAC spokesperson Lu Daliang said China remains the world’s second-largest importer of goods and its vast market offers immense opportunities globally. He noted that lower international commodity prices affected the value of imports, though the volume of imports still rose 0.6 percent from a year ago.

Last month alone, trade in goods amounted to CNY4.04 trillion (USD567.8 billion), up 8 percent year on year -- the biggest monthly increase so far this year -- with exports climbing 8.4 percent to CNY2.34 trillion and imports gaining 7.5 percent to CNY1.7 trillion.

Editor: Emmi Laine