The China-ASEAN bilateral trade volume in January totaled USD 21.48 billion, with an 80% year-on-year increase, according to spokesman Yao Jian at a press conference held by the Ministry of Commerce on February 25.

In Junuary, China exported USD 10.55 billion to ASEAN, up 52.8% year-on-year and imported USD 10.93 billion from ASEAN, up 117.3%. All the growth rates are higher than the year-on-year level of China's overall foreign trade.

The January bilateral trade showed that China-ASEAN free trade area (CAFTA) has proved to be a win-win mechanism. And China has taken into full account the interests of ASEAN countries, especially the new members of ASEAN and has strived to achieve mutual benefits, Mr. Yao said.

Data showed that China's imports and exports with ASEAN were basically even in January, with a slight deficit. China's imports from ASEAN countries increased substantially in January, especially from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore, respectively with an increase of 153.4%, 140.54%, 114.2%, 92.7% and 75.6% year on year, which were two times or more than China's exports to the above-mentioned countries.

Mr. Yao believed taht the CAFTA has greatly pushed forward China-ASEAN bilateral trade ties, bringing about tangible benefits to companies and consumers on both sides.