The value of trade transactions between Iran and China from January to August 2017 reached $24.17 billion, showing a 24 percent increase, compared to the same period last year, the latest data released by China’s customs office showed.

The bilateral trade between the two countries in the first eight months of 2016 had stood at $19.5 billion, according to the data.

In the first eight months of 2016, China had imported $9.3 billion worth of goods from Iran.

The value of Chinese imports from the Islamic Republic increased by 30 percent in the same period this year, reaching $12.13 billion.

China remains Iran’s top trade partner.

The value of trade transactions between Tehran and Beijing stood at some $52 billion in 2014.