Customs officers in Rudong carry out inspection and clearance procedures. [Photo/WeChat account: rudongfb]

Rudong county set a record high for foreign trade in the first half of 2025, with total imports and exports reaching 31.11 billion yuan ($4.32 billion), reflecting an 11.3 percent rise compared to the previous year. It ranked third among Nantong's districts and counties in total trade volume and led in imports.

Imports totaled 20.75 billion yuan, a 14.3 percent increase, while exports reached 10.37 billion yuan, up 5.7 percent compared to the same period last year.

Rudong's leading trading partners — Qatar, ASEAN, and the European Union — accounted for 55.5 percent of the total trade volume. Trade with Qatar reached 11.19 billion yuan, a 38.9 percent increase; ASEAN accounted for 3.46 billion yuan, up 85 percent; and the EU's trade totaled 2.61 billion yuan, rising 15.1 percent. Both Qatar and ASEAN recorded their highest-ever trade figures for this period. Meanwhile, trade with the United States grew by 6.1 percent, defying overall trends and highlighting the resilience of Rudong's export sector.

In the first half of the year, 562 companies in the county participated in foreign trade, reflecting an increase of 22 compared to the same period last year. Among these, 95 were newly established exporters or importers, accounting for 16.9 percent of the total and providing new momentum to the county's open economy. Private enterprises experienced a strong 17.1 percent growth in trade, becoming a major driver of economic expansion.

On the export side, electromechanical products increased by 18.2 percent, agricultural products by 17.8 percent, and apparel by 0.6 percent, together contributing 49.4 percent of total exports. High-tech product exports grew by 1.3 percent, representing 16.2 percent of the total.

Notably, Rudong's LNG imports increased by 9 percent, while imports of basic organic chemicals and high-tech products rose by 79.7 percent and 16.2 percent, respectively. Imports of computer-integrated manufacturing technology and general machinery saw substantial growth, surging by 68.9 percent and more than doubling, respectively, indicating a rising demand for advanced equipment as local industries continue to upgrade.