Recently the magazine titled China Customs, under the administration of the General Administration of Customs (GAC), released the 2022 report on Chinese cities' foreign trade competitiveness. The report made public the 2022 ranking of China's top 100 cities with foreign trade competitiveness. Six places from Hunan Province were shortlisted: Changsha (19th), Changde (75th), Hengyang (81st), Xiangtan (87th), Chenzhou (91st), and Yueyang (98th).

A total of 26 places from central China were included in the list, which is three more than last year. Wuhan from Hubei Province ranked first in central China and 14th nationwide. Changsha ranked 19th nationwide, showing an improvement of seven places compared to the ranking in 2021.

Though the competition in international trade is becoming fierce, high-level open platforms serve as significant catalysts for foreign trade development. Changsha is at the forefront among provincial capitals in central and western China in the number of pilot free trade zones, comprehensive bonded zones, and foreign trade transformation and upgrade bases. In 2022, Changsha saw a 50% year-on-year increase in the actual use of foreign capital and a 25.1% increase in import and export volume. The city ranked among China's top 20 places in terms of foreign trade competitiveness. 

A total of 93 places were included both in the 2021 and 2022 rankings. Changde was a newcomer of the 2022 ranking. In 2022, Changde's import and export volume reached 25.454 billion CNY, hitting a record high. The figure exceeded 20 billion CNY for the first time. 

The ranking of Chinese cities with foreign trade competitiveness is considered as a definitive review of Chinese cities' foreign trade development. The ranking holds high authority and reliability. It is selected by GAC based on statistical data of the customs authorities and comprehensive data of national economy. A total of 23 indicators from five categories of competitiveness in foreign trade performances, structure, efficiency, innovation, and potentials are evaluated. 

Translator: Xiao Juan