According to statistics from the Lhasa Customs, Xigaze City in Xizang Autonomous Region achieved a total import and export value of 907 million yuan (RMB, the same below) in the first quarter, representing a year-on-year (YoY, the same below) increase of 22.2 percent and accounting for 39.3 percent of Xizang's total foreign trade value. Among this, trade with Nepal stood at 573 million yuan, a 12.6 percent YoY increase, maintaining its position as the top trading partner. Trade with Singapore reached 112 million yuan, marking a 35-fold YoY growth.

The Lhasa Customs noted that amidst a global environment of weak economic growth momentum and rising trade protectionism, Xigaze City's foreign trade imports and exports achieved significant growth in the first quarter, kicking off the year on a positive note.

Data shows that in the first quarter, Xigaze exported 559 million yuan worth of labor-intensive products, up 24.1 percent, and 205 million yuan worth of mechanical and electrical products, an increase of 16.3 percent. Imports of consumer goods and cultural products grew by 19.2 percent and 17.3 percent, respectively. A total of 2,955 new energy vehicles were exported, marking a 76.7 percent YoY increase, while agricultural product exports reached 18,000 tons, a 10.4 percent YoY growth. And highland barley deep-processed products achieved large-scale exports, with more distinctive local products going global, injecting vitality into Xizang's high-level opening-up to the outside world.

Furthermore, in the first quarter, ports in Xigaze City handled 54,300 tons of import and export cargo, accounting for 95 percent of Xizang's total. Leveraging its geographical advantage as a "key gateway for opening up to South Asia", Xigaze has fully exerted its role. In collaboration with local governments, the customs authorities supported and guided 129 foreign trade enterprises in market expansion, facilitating the operation of South Asia freight trains. In March, the first dedicated new energy vehicle train from Zhengzhou to Xigaze was successfully launched.

Reporter: Jiang Feibo, Zhao Lang

Translator: Luo Rongting, Zhi Xinghua

Review: Hu Rongguo, Dong Xiuli