Foreign trade in Shanxi province between January and December this year hit 100.59 billion yuan ($14.57 billion), representing year-on-year growth of 20.9 percent and exceeding 100 billion yuan for the first time.

According to the Shanxi Department of Commerce, export volumes amounted to 60.25 billion yuan, increasing 27.3 percent and import volumes hit 40.34 billion yuan, up 12.5 percent. The value of exports has hit the annual target one month ahead of schedule with 11 months' volume representing 107.17 percent of the target figure.

The value of foreign trade, which grew fastest in China for four consecutive months, was 22.1 percentage points higher than the national average, breaking the province's own record.