Changsha's foreign trade grew 38% year-on-year to 84.73 billion yuan in the first quarter of 2023, according to data released by the Xingsha Customs on April 25. Exports jumped 47.1% from a year earlier to 60.75 billion yuan while imports climbed 19.4% on a yearly basis to 23.98 billion yuan.

In the first quarter, Changsha actively expanded foreign trade market. The city's trade with countries along the Belt and Road, the other 14 members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the ASEAN and Africa respectively surged over 60%, 47.6%, 65.3% and 73.2% to 36.89 billion yuan, 32.19 billion yuan, 21.48 billion yuan and 6.59 billion yuan.

Changsha's private enterprises maintained strong growth momentum, injecting vitality into the development of foreign trade. In the first quarter, the imports and exports of private enterprises in Changsha rose 42.7% year-on-year to 72.14 billion yuan and constituted more than 80% of the city's total foreign trade.

In the first quarter, Changsha's exports of mechanical and electrical products and labor-intensive products stood at 28.26 billion yuan and 12.77 billion yuan respectively, accounting for 46.5% and 21% of the city's total export value. Among them, computer and communication technology products, textiles and clothing, steel plates, automobiles (including chassis), and other products registered faster growth in exports over the same period last year.