Exports of electronics and information technology products, which account for one-third of total exports on the Chinese mainland, continued to drop in March amid the tough economic environment, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said yesterday.

The electronics exports, from laptop computers, mobile phones and LCD panels, totaled US$87.2 billion in March, a drop of 24.6 percent from a year ago, the ministry said, adding that they fell 19 percent in the first two months.

The export value of laptop computers, No. 1 on the list, totaled US$12.7 billion, a 9.9-percent drop from a year ago. The LCD panel exports plunged 47.6 percent to US$3.05 billion.

"It's a tough challenge to the industry but it's an opportunity to upgrade our industry structure," Li Yizhong, the minister, said during a previous broadcast conference.

(Shanghai Daily May 8, 2009)