TRADE between China and Russia in the first three quarters topped US$28.04 billion, a plunge of 34.9 percent from the same period last year, said a report from the General Administration of Customs of China yesterday.

Chinese exports to Russia in the first nine months were US$12.01 billion, down 48.9 percent annually and imports hit US$16.03 billion, down 17.9 percent year on year.

Trade between the two countries topped US$4.07 billion last month, down 25.8 percent from the same period last year, but up 19.9 percent from August.

Chinese exports last month stood at US$1.77 billion, down 45.6 percent year on year, and imports rose 3.2 percent annually to stand at US$2.3 billion.

"The month-on-month trade increase in September indicates trade between China and Russia has finished an adjustment period and is ready for recovery," said Zheng Yuesheng, director of the administration's Department of Statistics.