Zhonghongwang.com:

I am particularly interested in the export data from China's central and western regions for the first quarter. What are the key factors driving import and export growth in these regions? What role did the first quarter play in sustaining stable growth in the nation's overall import and export performance? Thank you.

Wang Lingjun:

The achievements of the central and western regions in the first quarter are very impressive. Mr. Lyu, could you please comment on this?

Lyu Daliang:

Thank you for your questions. I will now provide a detailed overview of the foreign trade in the central and western regions during the first quarter. In terms of scale, the central and western regions recorded import and export values of 1.84 trillion yuan in the first quarter, marking an impressive 8.7% increase. This growth was primarily driven by four main factors:

First, the foreign trade sector has continued to improve in quality and undergo upgrading. The central and western regions are using technological innovation to drive industrial innovation. They're promoting upgrading, improving quality and enhancing efficiency in traditional industries. In the first quarter, exports of mechanical and electrical products from the central and western regions reached 783.21 billion yuan, up 17.4% year on year. This export growth rate outpaced the national average for similar products by 8.7 percentage points, accounting for 64.7% of the regions' total export value. Among these, exports of automatic data processing equipment and parts, mobile phones, and automobiles grew by 8.4%, 21.4% and 9.3%, respectively. 

Second, open ports are facilitating development. Last year, Guanlei Port in Yunnan province and Ezhou Huahu International Airport Port in Hubei province passed opening acceptance inspections, while the Biedieli Port in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region was approved for operation. The water, land and air transport systems in China's central and western regions have been further enhanced by these developments. I'd like to highlight Ezhou Huahu International Airport, Asia's first professional cargo hub airport and the world's fourth. In the first quarter of this year, customs processed 77,000 metric tons of goods imported and exported through Huahu Airport, marking a fourfold increase. Additionally, Youyiguan Port, or Friendship Pass, at the China-Vietnam border is developing China's first smart cross-border port. Supported by three intelligent platforms, it has reduced cargo inspection waiting time by 20% and quarantine processing time by 3.5 hours. The port is expected to further lower clearance costs and significantly boost efficiency. In the first quarter, Youyiguan Port saw an 18.4% increase in import and export volumes.

Third, progress on major transport corridors is picking up pace. The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has achieved seamless land-river-sea connectivity. The China-Europe Trans-Caspian Express has begun operations, while the "Tianfu" cross-border freight truck service to Central Asia is now underway. Together, these developments have established multiple open routes characterized by internal-external synergy and mutual benefits in both directions. In the first quarter, the central and western regions recorded imports and exports worth 187.19 billion yuan via the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, representing a 17.3% increase.

Fourth, open cooperation with neighboring countries continues to expand. Border provinces in China's central and western regions have fully capitalized on their geographical advantages by strengthening connectivity and interconnection networks with neighboring countries, while accelerating industrial and supply chain cooperation. In the first quarter, imports and exports between the central and western regions and neighboring countries increased by 7.7%. Among them, imports and exports to Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan increased by 10% and 4.8%, respectively, accounting for 35.6% and 54.8% of China's total trade value with Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan during the same period. Recently, the Central Conference on Work Related to Foreign Affairs with Neighboring Countries was held in Beijing, where it was announced that China will further deepen its open cooperation with its neighbors. Thank you.