Shenzhen Reports Slight Export Rise

Shenzhen of south China's Guangdong Province exported 20.53 billion U.S. dollars-worth of commodities in the first six months of the year, up 1.03 percent from the same period last year.

Of the total, 16.62 billion U.S. dollars-worth of exports were handled by companies in the city, up 9.62 percent from the same time last year which is higher than the port 's average export growth, said customs sources.

Customs statistics show that from January to June, Shenzhen's export to Asian regions continued to increase, especially to Japan and members of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). But the value of exports to the European Union went down by 6.61 percent and to the United States, dropped by 2.08 percent.

Export of traditional goods, such as garments and fashion accessories, pottery and decorative items, took a drastic dive.

Observers believe that the quick plunge in the export of traditional commodities is closely related to China's campaign to crack down on fraud in tax rebates of exports.

The customs statistics also show that this southern Chinese port city also registered 16.904 billion U.S. dollars-worth of imports in the first six months of the year, up 10.53 percent.

People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/