Statistics: Trade volume between China, Arab states in 2015 hit $202bn

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L, front) speaks during the opening of the seventh ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation

The trade volume between China and Arab states in 2015 reached USD 202.6 billion, registering an annual decrease by 19.3% in light of a sharp fall in crude oil prices, according to statistics released by the Chinese Trade Ministry. 

Saudi Arabia continues to be the first trade partner to China as the trade volume between the two countries during the past year amounted to USD 51.6 billion, down by 25.29%, the state-run Xinhua reported on Friday 

The UAE came second, followed by Iraq, the Oman, Egypt and Kuwait, according to Xinhua.

The total foreign trade of China in 2015 went down by 8% on annual basis to stand at USD 3598.6 billion.