China has continued its rapid increase in foreign trade in high-tech products, soaring by 52.1 percent in the first quarter, senior trade official said.

The total imports and exports of hi-tech products in the first quarter reached 66.54 billion US dollars, accounting for 27.7 percent of the country's total in the same period, according to Chang Xiaocun, director of the science and technology department of the Ministry of Commerce.

In the first three months, China exported 33.11 billion US dollars worth of hi-tech products, up 67.5 percent, and imports worth 33.43 billion US dollars, Chang said at the Seventh Beijing International Hi-Tech Industries Expo on Thursday.

The director noted that the country targets an overall 20 percent increase in 2004 in foreign trade of hi-tech products, which is likely to be attained in view of the improved performancein the first quarter.

(Xinhua News  Agency  April 10, 2004)