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Full text of China's 2008 statistical communiqué of economic, social development
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-27 17:59

VI. Foreign Economic Relations

The total value of imports and exports in 2008 reached 2,561.6 billion US dollars, up 17.8 percent over the previous year. Of this total, the value of exports was 1,428.5 billion US dollars, up 17.2 percent, and the value of imports was 1,133.1 billion US dollars, up 18.5 percent. China had a trade surplus (exports minus imports) of 295.5 billion US dollars, an increase of 32.8 billion US dollars over the previous year.

Graphics shows the figure of general level of consumer prices in China in 2008 issued by National Bureau of Statistics of China on Feb. 26, 2009. [Xinhua/National Bureau of Statistics of China]

 
Graphics shows the figure of output of major industrial products and its growth rates in China in 2008 issued by National Bureau of Statistics of China on Feb. 26, 2009. [Xinhua/National Bureau of Statistics of China] 

 
Graphics shows the figure of profits and growth of industrial enterprises above the designated size in the first eleven months of 2008 issued by National Bureau of Statistics of China on Feb. 26, 2009. [Xinhua/National Bureau of Statistics of China]

 
Graphics shows the figure of fixed assets investment in urban areas and its growth by sector in China in 2008 issued by National Bureau of Statistics of China on Feb. 26, 2009. [Xinhua/National Bureau of Statistics of China]

 
Graphics shows the figure of newly increased production capacity through fixed assets investment in China in 2008 issued by National Bureau of Statistics of China on Feb. 26, 2009. [Xinhua/National Bureau of Statistics of China] 

The year 2008 witnessed the establishment of 27,514 enterprises with foreign direct investment in non-financial sectors, down by 27.3 percent; and the foreign capital actually utilized was 92.4 billion US dollars, up by 23.6 percent. Of the total foreign direct investment actually utilized, the share of investment in manufacturing was 54.0 percent over the pervious year, the real estate 20.1 percent, leasing and business service 5.5 percent, wholesales and retail trade 4.8 percent and transportation, storage and post service 3.1 percent.

 
Graphics shows the figure of main indicators for real estate development and sales in China in 2008 issued by National Bureau of Statistics of China on Feb. 26, 2009. [Xinhua/National Bureau of Statistics of China]

In 2008, the overseas direct investment (non-financial sectors) by Chinese investors was 40.7 billion US dollars, up by 63.6 percent over the previous year.

In 2008, the accomplished business revenue through contracted overseas engineering projects was 56.6 billion US dollars, up by 39.4 percent, and the business revenue through overseas labor contracts was 8.1 billion US dollars, up by 19.1 percent over the previous year.