Shanghai retained its position as the mainland's leading container port last year, recording 37.2 per cent year-on-year growth in volume to 4.2 million teu (20-ft equivalent units), according to a source. The port also had the fastest annual growth in the mainland, he said. Shenzhen came in second with a 52 per cent volume gain to 2.97 million teu. The combined volume of Shanghai and Shenzhen ports accounted for about 15 per cent of the top 10 ports' total throughput and 45 per cent of the national total. Qingdao reported a 27.1 per cent rise in throughput to 1.54 million teu, making it the third-busiest port. Tianjin and Guangzhou had 27.8 per cent and 40.2 per cent rises in container throughput. Tianjin handled 1.3 million teu, while Guangzhou handled 1.8 million teu. Xiamen and Dalian handled 850,000 teu and 740,000 teu respectively, up more than 200,000 teu at each port. Ningbo had a 70 per cent rise to 600,000 teu, while Zhongshan had a 12.1 per cent gain to 430,000 teu. Fuzhou had a 25.9 per cent rise in container throughput to 320,000 teu. In tonnage terms, main sea and river ports in the country handled 383 million tonnes and 25.78 million tonnes respectively last year, gains of 13.6 per cent and 19.7 per cent compared with 1998 tonnage. Exports and imports are expected to surge further as trade curbs are relaxed on mainland entry to the World Trade Organisation. TRADE