SHIJIAZHUANG, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The foreign trade volume of north China's Hebei Province rose 12.1 percent year on year to 255.6 billion yuan (35.9 billion U.S. dollars) in the first eight months of this year, according to local authorities.

The province's exports totaled 152.1 billion yuan during the period, up 8.5 percent, while the imports rose 17.9 percent to 103.5 billion yuan, said the customs in the capital city of Shijiazhuang.

The combined trade volume of private enterprises rose 10.1 percent to 157.1 billion yuan, accounting for 61.5 percent of the province's total.

The province's trade with countries along the Belt and Road reported growth of 17.9 percent in the first eight months to 79.6 billion yuan.