North China's Shanxi province saw robust growth in foreign trade in the first eight months of 2021, data from Taiyuan Customs showed.

The total value of imports and exports was 151.1 billion yuan ($23.4 billion) from January to August, up 81.6 percent compared with the same period last year, according to data. 

Exports soared to 92.81 billion yuan, logging a 91.9 percent increase over the same period last year, while imports totaled 58.3 billion yuan, up 67.2 percent. 

Mobile phone exports grew rapidly and accounted for over 60 percent of Shanxi's total exports. Exports of integrated circuit parts, plastic gloves, and cultural products also saw rapid growth, while steel exports continued to decline. 

Imports of electromechanical products such as integrated circuits and mobile phone parts increased significantly. 

Imports and exports between Shanxi and its main trading partners, namely the United States, Japan, ASEAN, the European Union, and BRICS countries accounted for nearly 60 percent of the province's total imports and exports. 

The province's private enterprises posted rapid growth in imports and exports during the period, with the figure growing 142.9 percent to 45.92 billion yuan.