Xi'an sees Jan-July foreign trade growth

Xi'an's foreign trade value reached 237.44 billion yuan ($33.29 billion) from January to July, indicating a 15.4 percent increase compared to the previous year and surpassing the national growth rate by 9.2 percent.

The city's exports amounted to 158.64 billion yuan, up 19.4 percent, while imports totaled 78.8 billion yuan, showing an 8 percent increase. This resulted in a trade surplus of 79.84 billion yuan.

Xi'an grew in various trade categories during this period, including processing trade, general trade, and bonded logistics. Processing trade accounted for 51.4 percent of the city's total foreign trade volume, reaching 122.02 billion yuan, up by 21.5 percent compared to last year. General trade reached 77.64 billion yuan, representing 32.7 percent of the total. The bonded logistics trade stood at 32.43 billion yuan, making up 13.7 percent of the total, and experienced a significant growth of 43.7 percent from last year.

The city witnessed notable growth in trade with key partners. South Korea emerged as Xi'an's top trading partner, with a total trade value of 53.03 billion yuan, up 40 percent from last year. Trade with BRICS countries Russia and Brazil also grew substantially, rising by 25.4 percent and 120 percent, respectively.

Trade with traditional markets also exhibited growth, with imports and exports to the United States increasing by 8.8 percent and Vietnam increasing by 180 percent.

Meanwhile, Xi'an's trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative was 132.71 billion yuan in the first seven months, accounting for 55.9 percent of the total trade value and growing by 23.4 percent compared to last year.