Southwest China's Yunnan Province handled US$2.5 billion in border trade during the first six months this year, a 25.4 percent rise over the same period of 2003, according to local customs.
  
The total included US$1.1 billion in imports, up 30 percent year-on-year, and US$1.4 billion in exports, up 21.7 percent.
  
Neighboring Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, Yunnan boasts over 4,000 kilometers of border line and in recent years, border trade has become an important driving force for the province's economic development.
  
Statistics from the customs showed private businesses have replaced state-owned enterprises to become the largest contributor to Yunnan's border trade. They contributed US$1.1 billion to the province's border trade, accounting for 45.5 percent of the total.
  
In addition, among all the border trade partners of Yunnan, Vietnam reported the highest growth rate of 37 percent and the country's metal ores, especially iron ore, have become very hot in Yunnan.
  
Textile, paraffin, fruit and vegetable led other export commodities in Yunnan and the major import items are still lumber, metal ore and rubber.

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2004)