The Kashi Area of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region File photo: VCG

Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region saw its foreign trade volume hit 321.02 billion yuan ($44.3 billion) in the first seven months of 2025, marking a robust year-on-year increase of 27.3 percent, China Media Group (CMG) reported on Monday, citing data from local customs authorities.

In July alone, the region's import and export value totaled 40.39 billion yuan, up 23.5 percent compared to the same period last year, the CMG report said.

The growth was driven by strong performances in multiple trade sectors. General trade, which accounted for 52.7 percent of Xinjiang's total trade volume, surged by 88.9 percent year-on-year during the period, with cross-border e-commerce exports playing a significant role, soaring by 334.7 percent as recorded by customs data. 

In the first seven months, imports through border residents' mutual markets also expanded substantially, rising by 78.4 percent year-on-year, per the CMG report.

Xinjiang's trade network continued to diversify, with the region engaging in economic exchanges with 223 countries and regions, an increase of 8.3 percent compared to the previous year. Trade with the five Central Asian nations remained dominant, representing 52.2 percent of the region's total foreign trade.

From January to July, the region made significant inroads into emerging markets, with trade volumes surging 98.5 percent with Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries, 99.5 percent with ASEAN, and 121.6 percent with African nations.

Additionally, trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative rose by 17.5 percent, accounting for 85.3 percent of Xinjiang's total trade, per the report.

According to customs data released previously, in the first half of 2025, Xinjiang saw its foreign trade expand 28 percent year-on-year to a record 280.8 billion yuan. The region's trade growth outpaced the national average by over 20 percentage points, according to Xinhua. 

Li Qinghua, deputy director of Urumqi Customs, said in July that the customs office will further optimize customs clearance procedures and promote innovation in supervision models to facilitate cross-border trade, Xinhua reported.

Global Times