THE value of foreign trade handled by the Port of Tianjin has for the first time surpassed the US$100 billion mark in 2006, an increase of 24.6 per cent year on year.

This makes Tianjin the fourth busiest seaport on mainland China, after Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou's Huangpu, reports Xinhua News Agency.

The latest statistics from Tianjin customs show that overseas firms dominate the trade in foreign goods passing through Tianjin port, with the value of their imports and exports surging 27.6 per cent to $45.23 billion during January to November 2006.

The US, European Union and Japan remain the top three trading partners for Tianjin port, with the value of the total trade between Tianjin and these three economic giants reaching $44.29 billion during the first 11 months of last year.