Fuzhou's foreign trade soars by 12.2 percent

Fuzhou's import and export volume reached 111.8 billion yuan in the first five months of this year, according to statistics from Fuzhou Customs.

The figure represents an uptick of 12.2 percent year-on-year, doubling the provincial average growth rate over the period.

The structure of trade continued to improve with the rapid expansion of general trade. Official data shows that the city's general trade imports and exports reached 90.22 billion yuan from January to May, up 21.1 percent year-on-year.

The role of the private sector in foreign trade is on an upward trajectory in Fuzhou.

In the first five months of this year, imports and exports among private businesses in Fuzhou soared 42 percent to 70.47 billion yuan.

The city's trade with ASEAN and the European Union showed strong growth, up by 47.6 percent and 17 percent respectively.

Meanwhile, trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative increased 35.7 percent to 39.05 billion yuan.

Exports of mechanical and electrical products and labor-intensive products continued to grow, while the import demand for agricultural products and consumer goods also remained strong.