The first bar chart compares the value of goods that Australia imported from China and exported to China from Australia between 1998 and 2004, whereas the second bar chart shows the types of products imported from China in 2003 and 2004.
Overall, imports from China consistently exceeded exports to China over the given period.In addition, telecommunication equipment recorded the highest import figures throughout the period. In contrast, clothes remained relatively stable in 2003 and 2004.
In 1998, the value of imports from China stood at around 20 billion dollars, while exports to China started at 10. In 2001, exports from China rose significantly from 20 billion dollars to 30. Exports to China stood at 20 billion dollars. In 2003, imports from China climbed from 30 to 37 billion dollars. Exports to China experienced a slight increase from 20 to 25. Finally, in 2004, exports from China peaked at around 40 billion dollars, whereas exports to China rose gradually from 27 to 30 billion dollars.
By contrast, in 2003, the value of clothing implrts stood at 4 billion dollars and remained unchanged. On the other hand, toys and sports equipment stood at 2 billion dollars, whilst in 2004, toys and sports equipment rose sharply from 2 to 7 billion dollars. Computers in 2003 were around 5 billion dollars, however in 2004, computers rose slowly from 5 to 6 billion dollars. Telecommunication equipment recorded 8 billion dollars. Furniture in 2003, accounted for 5 billion dollars, whereas in 2004, furniture grew from 5 to 6 billion dollars.