A China-Europe freight train departs from the East China International Combined Transport Port in Jinhua, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]
Despite a challenging start to China's foreign trade this year, Jinhua in Zhejiang province has delivered a robust performance from January to April. Imports and exports reached 297.56 billion yuan ($41.32 billion), up 13.8 percent year-on-year, according to data released by Jinhua Customs on May 14.
Exports rose 14.6 percent to 263.71 billion yuan, while imports grew 7.9 percent to 33.85 billion yuan, surpassing national and provincial averages. The city contributed 33.3 percent to Zhejiang's total foreign trade growth, ranking first in the province.
The expansion was driven by diversified markets. Trade with Latin America surged 31.2 percent in April, with significant increases in trade with Brazil (66.1 percent) and Argentina (234.2 percent). A 21.6 percent growth was seen with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, accounting for 62.3 percent of the city's total.
Export structural upgrades have also driven competitiveness, with green, smart, and low-carbon products gaining attention. Intermediate goods — materials and components for producing other products and services — are emerging as a new growth pillar.
Lanxi Wheel Top Company, a producer of bicycle parts, recently secured an RCEP origin certificate for exports to Indonesia, which could bring tariff reductions of 2 percent to 10 percent.
"Our products are exported to many countries, including Italy and Serbia. The exports increased 17.0 percent from January to April," said He Yuanyuan, the company's representative.
Jinhua's exports of intermediate products climbed 10.5 percent to 82.35 billion yuan in the first four months of this year.
