Exports of Chinese photovoltaic cells and components fell 31 percent year on year in the first half of 2013, due to overcapacity and trade disputes.

Export value stood at $6.5 billion in the first six months, according to the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products.

Exports to the EU, which contributed more than 40 percent to the total export value, tumbled 58.3 percent and those to the United States declined 48.9 percent in the first six months.

By contrast, exports to Asian and African countries rose 150.5 percent and 499.7 percent respectively.