Diamond trade through the Shanghai Diamond Exchange soared by 119.5 percent to reach US$443 million in the first half of this year, the Shanghai diamond trading authorities said on Friday.

Diamond imported or exported under general trade totaled US$419 million, up 115.7 percent year on year.

Diamonds traded as bonded goods shot up by 215.9 percent to reach US$24.54 million.

In April, diamond import and export in general trade on the exchange hit a monthly new high of US$92.73 million.

The Shanghai Diamond Exchange is the only legal channel for general trade of diamond on the Chinese mainland.

(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2007)