Shaanxi trade with Central Asia surges in Q1

China-Europe freight trains have facilitated growth between China and countries along the Belt and Road Initiative. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

China's Shaanxi province has dramatically expanded trade with Central Asia in 2024, fueled by new rail hubs, agricultural exchanges, and record-breaking logistics investments. The growth indicates a major step in regional economic integration under Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative.

In the first quarter, Shaanxi's imports and exports to Kazakhstan reached 7.1 billion yuan ($977 million), marking a 130 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Li Jinsheng, deputy director of Xi'an Customs, said that the Kazakhstan Xi'an Terminal has become a key hub for trade between Shaanxi and Kazakhstan since it opened in February 2024.

Additional transportation infrastructure is on the way. By the end of April, the main structure of the Almaty Central Asia Logistics Station in Kazakhstan was completed. This upgrade enhances the connection between the Almaty station and Kazakhstan Xi'an Terminal, facilitating the operation of the China-Europe Railway Express.

In March, Shaanxi exported 16,000 apple seedlings to Tajikistan for the first time, marking a new chapter in agricultural technology cooperation between the two regions. This exchange supports the construction of the China-Tajikistan friendship apple orchard.

Additionally, Shaanxi also exported furniture products to Uzbekistan for the first time. About 1,200 door sets and accessories, valued at 504,000 yuan, were transported to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, via the China-Europe Railway Express.

The province is also developing a commodity trading center for Central Asia and is collaborating with Central Asian countries to build international logistics nodes and logistics parks. Ten international warehouses have been completed thus far.

In 2023, Shaanxi's imports and exports to Central Asia reached 57.9 billion yuan; in 2024, that number reached 86.2 billion yuan, setting consecutive records, according to data from authorities.