Sichuan reports surging trade with ASEAN

CHENGDU - Southwest China's Sichuan province has reported a surge in two-way trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the first half of 2013, indicating the ASEAN has surpassed the United States as the largest trade partner of Sichuan.

Statistics released by the Chengdu Customs District on Friday showed that the bilateral trade volume between Sichuan and the ASEAN reached $5.38 billion in the first six months of the year, 42.1 percent higher than the same period last year, accounting for 18 percent of the province's total foreign trade value during the period.

Mechanical and electrical products and high-tech products ranked as the top two trade commodities between the two sides, the customs said.

The foreign trade volume to the United States stood at $5.36 billion, with a year-on-year drop of 13.6 percent, it added.

The Chengdu Customs District attributed the change to developed Western economies having seen trade volume declines and the province having adopted an open attitude toward the ASEAN countries.