Tianjin reported record import and export volumes in the first six months, according to local authorities.

In the first half of the year, the total import and export recorded high volume, valued at 938.15 billion yuan ($139.1 billion) with a year-on-year increase of 21.9 percent, said Tan Xuliang, deputy head of Tianjin Customs.

Exports surged by 33.6 percent to 481.55 billion yuan while imports were reported at 456.6 billion yuan, an increase of 11.7 percent.

The export of mechanical and electrical products grew by nearly 20 percent to 183.55 billion yuan, securing the top place among exports at the port.

In terms of imports, mechanical and electrical products, agricultural products, and bulk energy commodities maintained growth. In the first half of the year, Tianjin imported 162.01 billion yuan of mechanical and electrical products, an increase of 3.1 percent. Among them were 152,700 automobiles, an increase of 7.1 percent and 27 aircrafts, ranking first in the country.

About 33 percent of the import and export activities were attributed to countries along the "Belt and Road", worth 304.27 billion yuan, an increase of 42.6 percent.

The import and export to RCEP partners were valued at 297.37 billion yuan, an increase of 18.2 percent, accounting for 31.7 percent of the total import and export value in the same period.