BEIJING — China's cultural trade registered steady and fast expansion last year, with the aggregate trade volume of cultural products up 8.9 percent year-on-year, official data showed.

The total export and import volume of cultural products reached $111.45 billion, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

In breakdown, exports of cultural products went up 7.9 percent to $99.89 billion, while the imports stood at $11.57 billion, 17.4 percent higher from the previous year.

The cultural trade surplus expanded by 6.8 percent to $88.32 billion, the data showed.

Exports of cultural goods, arts, crafts and collectibles as well as publications grew rapidly, increasing by 11.7 percent, 5.6 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively.