ZHENGZHOU, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The foreign trade volume of central China's Henan Province contracted 1.1 percent in the first half of the year to 210.3 billion yuan (30.58 billion U.S. dollars), local customs authorities said Thursday.

According to Zhengzhou customs, Henan's exports grew 3.3 percent year on year to 143.8 billion yuan and its imports declined 9.6 percent to 66.5 billion yuan in the first six months.

During the period, the province's trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations rose 18.6 percent to 26.9 billion yuan, while its trade with countries along the Belt and Road reached 49.3 billion yuan, an increase of 7.4 percent year on year.

The province also saw growing trade with emerging markets in Latin America and Africa, with an increase of 12.3 percent and 26.1 percent, respectively. Enditem