Shandong's foreign trade grows 6.9 percent year-on-year in the first two months this year. [Photo/Dazhong News]

In the first two months of 2025, Shandong's foreign trade witnessed a nation-leading growth of 6.9 percent year-on-year, marking its significant contribution to stabilizing China's foreign trade balance. Specifically, Shandong's trade with countries along the Belt and Road accounted for 61.6 percent of its total, reaching 305.77 billion yuan ($42.25 billion).

To achieve this, Shandong enterprises have innovated and expanded into diverse markets to secure orders. The province has 48,900 enterprises with actual import and export records, among which 44,600 are private firms, contributing 85.6 percent of the province's foreign trade increment.

"Since the production started in December last year, our firm has received 20 million orders for pairs of socks. And the production is scheduled to June," said a staff from Yantai Aziyi Socks Industry Co Ltd.

Another example is Qingdao Jinboke Health Technology, whose export value in the first quarter is expected to exceed 51 million yuan, setting a new record.

In addition, Shandong enterprises are also making inroads into overseas markets through infrastructure investment. The East Africa Commercial & Logistics Center, built by Weihai Huatan Supply Chain Management Co Ltd in Tanzania's largest port city, Dar es Salaam, will serve as a bridgehead for Shandong enterprises to enter East African markets.

"The center is set to open in May and is expected to attract over 2,000 domestic and foreign enterprises," said Wang Yanan, manager of Weihai Huatan.