(CFP Photo)

Jiangsu remains a popular destination for overseas investors, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) of $16.53 billion during the first half of the year, a surge of 32.6% year on year, and 18.2% of the total FDI into the Chinese mainland.

The province's foreign trade in the six months exceeded 2.398 trillion yuan, up 19.9%, and this included exports of 1.4812 trillion yuan and imports of 917.57 billion yuan, up 22.1% and 16.4% respectively.

Foreign trade by private enterprises increased by 32.3% and the exports of mechanical and electrical products grew by 22%. The combined imports of iron ore, natural gas and cooking oil grew by 57.4%.