A view of Nantong Port. (Photo/CFP)

The Yangtze River Delta experienced robust growth in foreign trade in 2024, underscoring its status as one of China's most dynamic regions with the highest-level opening-up and the strongest innovation capabilities.

The delta region encompasses the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui and Shanghai municipality. According to Shanghai Customs, the region’s total imports and exports amounted to 16.01 trillion yuan, marking a 5.6% increase year-on-year and accounting for 36.5% of the national total, up from 36.3% in 2023.

In 2024, the delta exported high-end equipment valued at 261.16 billion yuan, representing over half of the nation's exports of similar items, at 56.7%. Exports of mechanical and electrical products totaled 5.96 trillion yuan, accounting for 39.4% of the national total.

With its continuous opening-up, in 2024, the region's trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative reached 7.7 trillion yuan. Trade with RCEP and BRICS countries reached 4.9 trillion yuan and 2.13 trillion yuan respectively.