The bilateral trade between China and the Latin American region grew substantially during the first three quarters, up 52 percent to reach US$111.5 billion, said China's Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday.

In the first nine months, China's exports to Latin America rose 48.9 percent to US$54.5 billion, and the imports gained 55.2 percent to US$57 billion. The top three trade partners of China in the region are Brazil, Mexico and Chile.

Apart from traditional export products such as textile, China is exporting more high-tech products to Latin America, including computer and communication technologies, and container inspection equipments, said an MOC official.

Products imported from the Latin American region has also gradually expanded to cover integrate circuits and electronic components. Regional airplanes from Brazil, Mexican beer and wine from Chile also entered the Chinese market, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 12, 2008)