Qingdao's import and export with South Korea totaled US$8.66 billion in 2011, up 5.8 percent from the previous year, making the country the coastal city's third largest trade partner, according to the city's bureau of commerce.

Qingdao's value of exports to South Korea was US$4 billion, up 15 percent, and the value of imports reached US$4.66 billion, down 1 percent.

The trade volume accounted for 12.2 percent of the total value of imports and exports of the whole city last year.

In 2011, Qingdao's home appliances and other electronic products, garment, machinery and equipment, vegetables and metal products were the top five export categories to South Korea among other commercial goods.