In the first half of the year, the foreign trade of Jinhua in Zhejiang province reached 604.13 billion yuan ($89.25 billion), an 18.8 percent increase year-on-year, according to Jinhua Customs.

Exports were valued at 520.48 billion yuan, up 14.8 percent, while imports surged by 51.2 percent to 83.65 billion yuan. The city contributed 40.6 percent to the province's foreign trade growth, leading the region.

This growth is fueled by market diversification and strong performance in emerging markets. Trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative totaled 402.75 billion yuan, up 23.4 percent and making up 66.7 percent of the city's total trade. Trade with Africa, ASEAN, and Latin America grew by 44.8 percent, 53.6 percent, and 7.9 percent, respectively.

Exports of mechanical and electrical products rose 19.0 percent to 220.9 billion yuan, while labor-intensive products increased by 20.2 percent to 206.61 billion yuan.

Imports outpaced exports, with consumer goods remaining the largest import category. Consumer goods imports reached 33.18 billion yuan, up 17.6 percent and accounting for 39.7 percent of total imports. Imports of edible aquatic products rose 58.6 percent to 5.03 billion yuan.

Market procurement trade remains a key driver of exports, totaling 347.25 billion yuan, up 16.4 percent and accounting for 72.7 percent of the city's export growth. General trade increased by 12.1 percent.