The trade volume between Shanghai, China's leading industrial and commercial city, and the United States totaled US$22.55 billion in the first half of this year, a year-on-year rise of 48.1 percent, the latest statistics show.

The total trade volume included US$15.84 billion in export, up 44.4 percent from last year's same period, according to the Shanghai Customs.

The United States remained the third trade partner and the largest export market of Shanghai.

Insiders said foreign-funded enterprises in Shanghai contributed significantly to the soaring foreign trade with the United States. Statistics show that bilateral trade volume involving foreign-funded enterprises reached US$14.21 billion in the six months, up 59.6 percent from the same period of last year and accounting for 63 percent of the total trade volume between Shanghai and the United States.

Major export items via Shanghai Port, the largest port of China, included textiles, furniture, garment, cases and bags, shoes and TV sets, among others.

Statistics show that imports from the United States via Shanghai Port totaled US$6.71 billion in the first half of this year, up 57.6 percent from the same period of last year, the latest statistics show.

According to the Shanghai Customs, imports of US farm produce via the port reached US$760 million in the January-June period, 2.8 times the figure for the corresponding period of last year.

Imports of cotton wool, integrated circuits and aircraft totaled US$510 million, US$870 million and US$200 million in the six-month period. The three figures were 4.2 times, 3.7 times and 2.1 times the figures for last year's same period respectively.

(Xinhua News Agency August 2, 2004)