China's Shandong sees foreign trade with B&R countries rise in 2020

JINAN - China's Shandong province saw its foreign trade with countries along the Belt and Road (B&R) rise 9.1 percent year-on-year to over 660.8 billion yuan (about $101.8 billion) last year, local authorities said on Jan 18.

The province's trade with ASEAN accounted for more than 45 percent of its total trade volume with B&R countries in 2020, according to a press briefing held by the provincial government.

Exports to B&R countries reached 338.3 billion yuan, up 18.2 percent year-on-year, and imports from these countries dropped 1.6 percent to 272.4 billion yuan.

The top commodity imported from B&R countries last year was crude oil, and mechanical and electrical products were among the top exports.