China's export of machinery and electronic products grew 36.1 percent to reach US$36.07 billion in the first month of this year, making up 55.5 percent of the country's total exports.

Meanwhile China's import of machinery and electronic products jumped 29.3 percent to US$29.67 billion, according to a release made by the General Administration of Customs on Monday.

The export of electric and electronic products came to US$14.48 billion during the period, up 42.6 percent year on year; machine tools to US$12.12 billion, up 24.1 percent; and high-tech products to US$17.61 billion, up 33.4 percent.

Among major items for export, apparel products went up by 24.8 percent to US$6.62 billion, yarn and other textile products rose by 21.8 percent to US$3.56 billion, shoes rose by 27.3 percent to US$1.93 billion, and rolled steel went up 21.1 percent to 1.81 million tons.

In January, China imported iron ore of 26.58 million tons, up 27.4 percent, and refined oil of 2.62 million tons, down 21.8 percent.

Meanwhile, China imported chemical products worth US$6.22 billion, up 9.7 percent, 18,000 cars, up 120 percent and rolled steel of 1.57 million tons, down 18.3 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2006)