The total value of Zhanjiang's exports and imports in the first quarter of this year reached 9.51 billion yuan ($1.34 billion), up 20.2 percent from the same period of the previous year, according to recent statistics released by Zhanjiang Customs.

Exports amounted to 3.28 billion yuan, a decrease of 14.1 percent, while imports were 6.23 billion yuan, an increase of 52 percent.

In terms of trade methods, the import and export of bonded logistics and processing trade in the first three months saw a significant increase of 64.5 percent to 1.15 billion yuan, making up 12.1 percent of Zhanjiang's foreign trade. In terms of enterprise categories, State-owned enterprises in Zhanjiang had a total export-import volume of 3.85 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 63.9 percent and accounting for 40.4 percent of the city's total foreign trade.

The main export markets of Zhanjiang in the first quarter of the year were the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Japan, and the European Union (EU), while the city mainly imported from Brazil, Australia, and ASEAN.

In order to further reduce the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic on foreign trade, Zhanjiang Customs issued several measures to help relevant enterprises, including facilitating customs clearance, helping exports of medical supplies, and offering one-on-one counseling services for enterprises.