China's Hunan sees robust foreign trade growth in H1

CHANGSHA -- The foreign trade volume of Central China's Hunan province exceeded 260 billion yuan (about $40.09 billion) in the first six months of 2021, up 28 percent year-on-year, according to local authorities.

Exports exceeded 175 billion yuan and imports hit around 84.8 billion yuan, rising 33.2 percent and 18.5 percent, respectively, compared with the same period last year, customs of the provincial capital Changsha said at a press conference on Tuesday.

By June, the province's imports and exports value had shown positive growth for nine consecutive months, it noted.

The inland province's major trading partners include the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States, and its trade with both has seen robust growth during the period.

At the press conference, the Changsha customs also released a slew of new policies to boost the export of agricultural products, which would contribute to rural vitalization.

"These measures will greatly reduce the cost of businesses and facilitate customs clearance of agricultural products for export," said Xie Zhijie, an official with the customs.

As a major industry of Hunan, agriculture has posted double-digit monthly growth since June 2020, according to the customs.