According to statistics from the Zhangjiagang Commerce Bureau, the city's total import-export volume reached $ 32.13 billion in 2017, a year-on-year growth of 17.2 percent.

Export value increased by 12.5 percent to reach $15.98 billion last year, while import value grew by 22.2 percent to reach $16.15 billion.

Zhangjiagang's general trade export was $13.65 billion, a 16.2 increase from 2016, accounting for nearly 85.4 percent of the city's total import and export volume. Domestic enterprises experienced a sharp increase of $12.52 billion, up 15.6 percent year-on-year, accounting for 78.3 percent of city’s total.

The textile and clothing industry, as the leading industry of the city's foreign trade export, exported $6.23 billion, a 16.13 percent growth, while the import and export volume of the top 50 foreign trade enterprises in Zhangjiagang increased significantly to $22.89 billion.

Since 2017, the Zhangjiagang government has strived to promote the development of key sectors, industries and enterprises, and to help extend international markets for traditional industries.

The city has also strived to formulate policies and measures to improve foreign trade. The linkage of national tax, customs and national inspections also contributed to the growth.

Containers pile up at Yongjia port in the Free Trade Zone of Zhangjiagang city, Jiangsu province [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]