Import value soared 57.6 per cent up to $18.1 billion while export value rose 16.6 per cent to $17.9 billion, generating a trade deficit of $185 million.
During this period, Qingdao's sea port customs handled 67.6 million tonnes of foreign trade cargo, up 6.2 per cent. Import went 9.3 per cent up to 48.5 million tonnes. Export dropped 1.1 per cent to 19.1 million tonnes.
Containers handled by the city's seaport customs increased 9.7 per cent to 3.3 million TEU. Overall cargo tonnage increased 14.2 per cent to 100 million tonnes.
Meanwhile, Qingdao's airport customs processed 40,934 tonnes of airfreight, up 16.9 per cent. Aircraft movement went 7.7 per cent up to 26,161 flights.