The number of ships involved in foreign trade and the amount of cargo carried by them on the Yangtze River increased by over 20 percent in June compared with the same period last year, according to Yangtze River Pilotage Center.

The center piloted over 4,300 foreign trade ships in June, up 21 percent year on year, while the cargo amount reached around 35 million tonnes, an increase of 25.5 percent.

The figures show a steady recovery in foreign trade transportation on the Yangtze River, one of the world's busiest waterways, according to the center.

According to international practices and government regulations of China, to enter and exit the country's ports, foreign ships should apply for piloting to the pilot organizations.

As of July 10, the center had piloted about 31,400 Chinese and foreign ships this year. The ships carried a total of 227 million tonnes of cargo, up 2.58 percent compared with the same period last year. Enditem