In the first seven months of this year, Maoming's total imports and exports reached 80.9 billion yuan ($11.3 billion), a significant 35-percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Specifically, exports amounted to 27.7 billion yuan, a slight decrease of 2.5 percent, while imports surged 68.8 percent to 53.2 billion yuan.

Private enterprises in Maoming contributed significantly to the import and export figures, reaching 41.6 billion yuan, an 11.2-percent increase. State-owned enterprises also saw substantial growth, with imports and exports totaling 23.3 billion yuan, a remarkable 180.1-percent increase, while foreign-invested enterprises recorded 15.8 billion yuan in imports and exports, a 12.5-percent growth.

Noteworthy trade partners for Maoming during this period included Canada, the United States, and ASEAN countries, with imports and exports totaling 20 billion yuan, 19.2 billion yuan, and 7.7 billion yuan, respectively, growth rates of 236.9 percent, 43 percent, and 60.6 percent.

Trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative reached 28.5 billion yuan, a 45.8-percent increase, while trade with other RCEP member countries amounted to 12.1 billion yuan, a 31.3-percent growth.

Exports of aquatic products, totaling 12.3 billion yuan, saw a 20.3-percent increase, raising overall export growth by 7.3 percentage points.

Furthermore, Maoming's crude oil imports surged to 23.3 billion yuan, a remarkable 180.1-percent increase, with all imports conducted through bonded logistics.