Diamond trade through the Shanghai Diamond Exchange soared by
119.5 percent to reach US$443 million in the first half of this
year, the Shanghai diamond trading authorities said on Friday.
Diamond imported or exported under general trade totaled US$419
million, up 115.7 percent year on year.
Diamonds traded as bonded goods shot up by 215.9 percent to
reach US$24.54 million.
In April, diamond import and export in general trade on the
exchange hit a monthly new high of US$92.73 million.
The Shanghai Diamond Exchange is the only legal channel for
general trade of diamond on the Chinese mainland.
(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2007)