China's imports and exports of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) reached US$855 million in the first seven months of 2007, up 13.2 percent compared with the same period last year, according to figures from the China Customs.

From January to July, exports of TCM, mostly herbs, rose 13.7 percent over the same period last year to US$666 million, while imports, including seaweeds and fish oil, went up 11.4 percent to reach US$188 million.

Almost two thirds of the medicine went to Asia, notably China's Hong Kong, Japan and the Republic of Korea, contributing to 70.6 percent of the total demand in Asian market.

The United States and Germany are the major TCM consumers outside Asia, accounting for 15 and three percent respectively of exports.

China has signed inter-governmental protocols, including TCM cooperation, with 70 countries and regions. TCM has been accepted and protected by laws in Australia and South Africa, and TCM products have been exported to about 135 countries and regions.