As the core area of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Fujian province has experienced a significant increase in trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2023, total trade between Fujian and Belt and Road countries reached 1.01 trillion yuan ($14.1 billion), marking a 2.6 percent year-on-year increase and representing 51.1 percent of Fujian's total foreign trade during this period. Exports amounted to 545.5 billion yuan, a 0.6 percent increase, while imports reached 463.42 billion yuan, a 5 percent increase.

According to officials from Xiamen Customs, private enterprises in Fujian province carried out 570.02 billion yuan in trade with Belt and Road countries in 2023, an 8 percent year-on-year increase and accounting for 56.5 percent of the province's total trade with these countries. State-owned enterprises carried out 273.37 billion yuan in trade, accounting for 27.1 percent, while foreign-invested enterprises carried out 165.41 billion yuan in trade, representing 16.4 percent.

The data reveals significant growth in the export of electromechanical products, with exports to Belt and Road countries valued at 216.35 billion yuan, a 20.2 percent increase. Exports of lithium-ion batteries, solar cells, and electric passenger vehicles stood out, reaching a combined value of 40.85 billion yuan, an 81.8 percent increase.

In terms of imports, bulk resource commodities showed rapid growth, with Fujian province importing a total of 252.48 billion yuan worth of bulk commodities from Belt and Road countries in 2023, marking a 17.8 percent increase.

This included imports of metal ores and sands, coal, natural gas, and crude oil, with year-on-year increases of 8.7 percent, 31.7 percent, 14.6 percent, and 20.8 percent, respectively. Additionally, imports of pulp and paper products reached 10.85 billion yuan, a 21.3 percent increase, while agricultural products amounted to 59.62 billion yuan, a 3.6 percent increase.