The imports and exports of China's medical products reached 25.64 billion US dollars in 2005. The imports were 11.84 US dollars, a year-on-year growth of 18.5 per cent and the exports 13.8 billion US dollars, a growth of 28.1 per cent year on year, as was learned from the Ministry of Commerce.

According to statistics, exports of Western medical products valued 12.97 billion US dollars last year, accounting for 94 per cent of the total medical exports. 57.3 per cent of the medical exports, which is worth 7.9 billion US dollars, came from raw materials for Western medicines.

The exports of traditional Chinese medicines were 830 million US dollars, including traditional Chinese medicinal materials, prepared Chinese medicines and extract products, accounting for 6 per cent of the total medical exports.

By People's Daily Online