Workers check the products waiting to be exported in Taizhou. [Photo/JSTV]

The imports and exports of Taizhou in Jiangsu province totaled 152.54 billion yuan ($20.82 billion) from January to November of last year, a year-on-year increase of 25.1 percent, ranking first in the province in terms of growth rate.

Among them, exports reached 110.36 billion yuan, breaking the 100 billion yuan mark for the first time.

Taizhou's electromechanical products have become a principal catalyst for the growth of exported products. In the first 11 months of 2024, Taizhou recorded exports of electromechanical products worth 76.29 billion yuan, representing a 35.7 percent increase. The exports of ships and refrigerators was particularly outstanding, with growth rates of 91.9 percent and 30.8 percent, respectively.

In addition, Taizhou also exported petrochemical products and textiles worth 10.88 billion yuan and 4.56 billion yuan, respectively, during the same period, with growth rates of 19.4 percent and 14.4 percent.

Overall, in the Jan-Nov period of 2024, the city's foreign trade saw a substantial increase. Trade with emerging markets has been particularly impressive. Imports and exports to countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative reached 89.7 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 31.6 percent.

Over the past decade, Taizhou's export value has steadily increased yearly, from less than 40 billion yuan 10 years ago to surpassing 100 billion yuan today. This is due to Taizhou actively expanding its openness, implementing measures such as improving customs clearance efficiency and building open platforms to support industrial development. These initiatives have contributed to the development of a competitive port business environment, allowing local enterprises to enhance their competitiveness in the international market.