According to statistics from Saihan customs, Hohhot's import and export trade reached a remarkable 15.05 billion yuan ($2.13 billion) in the first eight months of the year. This reflects a 31 percent increase and accounts for 11.2 percent of the region's total, setting a new record.

The import value stood at 7.14 billion yuan, up 35.3 percent, while exports hit 7.91 billion yuan, marking a 27.3 percent rise.

The primary imported goods included refined oil and agricultural products, valued at 2.87 billion yuan and 1.73 billion yuan, respectively. Machinery and high-tech products led exports, with values of 1.89 billion yuan and 1.19 billion yuan. Trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative surged to 9.69 billion yuan, a striking 72.9 percent increase, making up 64.4 percent of the city's total trade.

Key trading partners included Malaysia, the United States, Mongolia, and Russia, with trade values of 2.93 billion yuan, 2.05 billion yuan, 1.70 billion yuan, and 1.35 billion yuan, respectively. Trade with African countries reached 830 million yuan, a substantial 65.1 percent increase.

Li Bin, head of the comprehensive business section at Saihan customs, emphasized Hohhot's unparalleled advantages in regional positioning, infrastructure, and policy support. Launching new customs supervision sites has enhanced trade capacity, driving Hohhot's foreign trade growth.