Jilin province in Northeast China reported solid foreign trade growth in the first quarter of 2021, with the total value of its imports and exports hitting 40.41 billion yuan ($6.18 billion), according to Jilin Daily.

Of this total, 12.57 billion yuan was seen in March, an increase of 19.6 percent year-on-year.

During the period, general trade imports and exports increased significantly, accounting for more than 90 percent of the province's total import and export value.

Imports and exports by general trade were 36.72 billion yuan, an increase of 42.3 percent. Imports and exports by processing trade were 2.84 billion yuan, an increase of 23.2 percent.

In addition, 670 million yuan of imported and exported goods was completed by bonded logistics, an increase of 79.7 percent.

Foreign-invested enterprises led the way in imports and exports, and both State-owned and private enterprises achieved growth in foreign trade.

In the first quarter, mechanical and electrical products drove a substantial increase in imports. The import value of mechanical and electrical products was 27.03 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 52.4 percent, accounting for 85.1 percent of the province's total import value over the same period.

Of these products, automobiles and their spare parts and electrical equipment were the main growth points.

Over the same period, the import of agricultural products was 1.42 billion yuan, an increase of 50 percent.