Containers on the cargo berth of Zhongshan Port. [File photo by Xia Shengquan]

According to the Zhongshan Customs, the total import-export value of Zhongshan in the first half of 2019 reached up to 118.27 billion yuan, an increase of 6.9% over the same period last year (the same below). Specifically, exports recorded 95.45 billion yuan, an increase of 12.4%. Zhongshan's import-export value and year-on-year export growth both rank second among 9 Pearl River Delta cities, next only to Dongguan.

Moreover, imports and exports of private enterprises increased 22.8% to 43.96 billion yuan, accounting for 37.2% of the total. Imports and exports of state-owned enterprises stood at 6.9 billion yuan, up 9.4%, accounting for 5.8%. Imports and exports of foreign-funded enterprises totaled 67.42 billion yuan, a decrease of 1.5%, accounting for 57%.

In H1, Zhongshan enterprises' import-export trades with the EU, ASEAN and Hong Kong were 21.01 billion yuan, 14.7 billion yuan and 12.15 billion yuan, with the increase of 16.4%, 14.4% and 6.9%, respectively. Imports and exports to emerging markets, including Latin America, Africa and the Middle East reached 8.26 billion yuan, 3.14 billion yuan and 5.26 billion yuan, with the increase of 14.1%, 71% and 13.7%, respectively.

Mechanical and electrical products came as the leading export products, driving the overall growth of exports. In the first half, Zhongshan exported mechanical and electrical products of 69.73 billion yuan, up 11.4%, which accounts for 73% of Zhongshan's total export volume in the same period and contributing 8.3 percentage points to the overall export growth. Home appliances and electronic components constitute the main part of Zhongshan's exported mechanical and electrical products.

In H1, trade volume between Zhongshan enterprises and the Belt and Road countries amounted to 29.42 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 11.5%. Imports and exports in the form of general trade stood at 15.56 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.1%, accounting for 52.9%. Top five countries emerged in terms of total import and export value: Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Thailand, and Singapore.