Tibet's foreign trade surges

LHASA -- Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region reported $1.02 billion in foreign trade in the first half of this year, up 170.3 percent from the same period last year, customs authorities in Lhasa said Monday.

The growth rate was 162 percentage points higher than the national average, Lhasa's customs office said in a news release.

In June alone, Tibet reported $290 million in imports and exports, up 221.6 percent year-on-year, it said.

The plateau region's border trade in the January-June period totaled $520 million, up 80 percent from the same period last year.

Two-way trade with Asian countries added up to $790 million, including $530 million in trade with Nepal.

Bilateral trade with the European Union totaled $80 million, up 258.2 percent.

Meanwhile, trade with the United States was valued at $70 million, up 245.2 percent.