CHINA Customs figures show that the national export value in November fell 2.2 per cent year on year to US$115 billion, and was down 21.4 per cent from October's - the first year-on-year fall since June 2001, Logistics Week reported.

China's November import value also fell 17.9 per cent to US$74.9 billion, down 33.5 per cent against October's. Overall trade value dropped nine per cent to $189.9 billion, down 26.6 per cent comparing to October.

But China's cumulative trade value rose 20.9 per cent year on year from January to November to $2.3 trillion. Exports grew 19.3 per cent while imports increased 22.8 per cent. The trade surplus rose 6.9 per cent to $256 billion, which was an increase of $16.4 billion.

The European Union remained the largest trading partner while the US continued to be the second. During the first 11 months, bilateral trade between EU and China grew 22 per cent. Trade between US and China increased 11.6 per cent. Japan continued to be the third with bilateral trade value rising 15.2 per cent.