China H1 trade up 20 percent

China's global trade volume reached 13.14 trillion yuan

(1.95 trillion US dollars) in the first half of 2017, an increase of

19.6 percent, Qian Keming, China's vice minister of commerce announced

Monday.

"The global economy is seeing an accelerated

growth, and global trade is also picking up speed. The outer

environment of China's trade development has improved," Qian said at a

press conference at the State Council Information Office.

Exports in the first half of the year climbed 15 percent from a year ago, while imports increased by 25.6 percent year-on-year.

Qian

also said that China's overseas investments had become more reasonable.

Foreign direct investment in the first six months of 2017 decreased by

42.9 percent year-on-year to 331.1 billion yuan (49.17 billion US

dollars).

"China's problem of unreasonable overseas

investment last year was relatively exceptional. We have worked with

other departments to examine the authenticity and compliance of

investments. We directed enterprises to prevent systematic risks, and

facilitate healthy and standard overseas investment," Qian said.