Zhuhai ranks 5th among China's Top 100 Foreign Trade Cities in 2020 with a comprehensive score of 76.34, two rungs higher than the previous year, according to the General Administration of Customs of the PRC (GACC). Shenzhen continues its reign, however, ranking first countrywide in foreign trade competitiveness and potential.

China Customs magazine reports in the Oct 21 edition that except for structure, for which Shenzhen is first and Guangzhou 4th, Zhuhai excels in assessments for level, performance, development, and potential competitiveness in the foreign trade sector. Rated in foreign trade competitiveness based on 25 indexes were 297 domestic prefecture-level-or-above cities.

Customs staff inspect cargo containers in Zhuhai [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

Zhuhai's foreign trade level competitiveness is 10th domestically -- a relatively high import and export level. Foreign trade value of 273 billion yuan ($41.6 billion) was recorded for 2020. In addition, the city's performance competitiveness rose from 70th to 21st. A constantly optimized technological level of general trade export products, increased contribution rate of net export growth to local GDP growth, and improved local trade environment are attributed as factors for the gain.

In terms of development competitiveness, the city leads the country in actual-per capita-used foreign capital. Zhuhai actual-used foreign investment was $12.1 billion during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), states the 2021 Government Work Report. Actual foreign direct investment rose by 31.3 percent to $2.12 billion yuan in the first half of this year. Th two-year growth rate averaged 18.1 percent.

China Customs magazine states that the Pearl River Delta region has seen continuous vitality in foreign trade development. And that traditional foreign trade cities like Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Zhuhai are therefore still showing eye-catching performance.

In the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Zhuhai has ideal geographic advantages, an outstanding business environment, and complete industrial support facilities. Besides Zhuhai and Shenzhen, the Bay Area cities of Guangzhou and Dongguan are among the top ten in foreign trade. Other Guangdong cities in the top 100 are Foshan, Huizhou, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, and Zhanjiang.