A total of 630,000 companies registered actual import and export performances in China in the first eight months of the year, marking a year-on-year increase of 8.8 percent, according to the official data released by the General Administration of Customs on Tuesday.
This growth highlights the robust momentum of China's foreign trade, with private enterprises leading the charge.
Their combined trade surged by 10.5 percent year on year to 15.74 trillion yuan (some 2.21 trillion U.S. dollars), accounting for 55.1 percent of the country's total foreign trade. Foreign-invested companies also contributed, with their trade rising to 8.4 trillion yuan (about 1.18 trillion dollars), up 1.5 percent from the previous year, data showed.
Lyu Daliang, director of the Statistical Analysis Department under the General Administration of Customs, underscored the importance of foreign-invested enterprises in driving high-quality trade growth.
"Foreign-funded enterprises are important market players in China and play an important role in promoting the high-quality development of foreign trade. In the first eight months, the number of foreign-funded enterprises with import and export performances in China has grown, with the monthly import and export value rising year on year for five consecutive months, and China remains a prime destination for foreign investment," Lyu said.
China's trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has maintained vibrant growth, with the trade volume up 7 percent to about 13.48 trillion yuan (about 1.89 trillion dollars) in the first eight months of this year.
Trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) surged by 10 percent to 4.5 trillion yuan, making up 15.7 percent of China's total trade and solidifying ASEAN's position as China's largest trading partner.
China's foreign trade thrives with robust private sector in Jan-Aug
China's foreign trade thrives with robust private sector in Jan-Aug
China Media Group's (CMG's) Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, which is set to air on Tuesday night to celebrate the moon-themed traditional festival, will stage a warm scene of family reunion and artistic interpretation of major events of the year from the perspective of ordinary people.
The annual gala, also known as "Qiuwan" in Chinese, will spotlight key topics of interest for audiences at home and abroad, including the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China, and significant milestones such as the Chang'e-6 space missions and the Paris Olympics.
The gala was recorded in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning Province, a 2,300-year-old city boasting three world cultural heritage sites and over 1,500 historical and cultural sites. The city is also one of the most well-known industrial cities in China.
Many performances of the gala will incorporate local elements such as Shenyang Guan's Shadow Puppetry, Errenzhuan (a blend of storytelling, singing and dancing between two performers) and 13 landmarks including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, the Liaoning Provincial Museum, the China Industrial Museum, and the Old North Market, to present the audience Shenyang's history and cultural charm, according to Yang Qifang, general planner of the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.
"Many performances are on very serious topics, such as the return of People's Volunteer Army veterans and the rejuvenation of the old heavy industrial base. We will present them in a very tender way," Yang said, referring to return of remains of Chinese soldiers who fell in action in the 1950-1953 Korean War.
French pianist Richard Clayderman, Hungarian pianist Balazs Havasi and Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen will also join the grand event to share the warm and romantic moments with global audience.
In addition, full moon pictures collected through global social media will also be displayed at the gala, allowing the audience to appreciate the beauty of the moonlight from all over the world.
"The Chinese people have a deep devotion to circle. When the moon becomes a full circle, families reunite, symbolizing a perfect conclusion after a year of anticipation and waiting," Yang said.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, is a cherished occasion for family reunions in China. It falls on Tuesday this year.
CMG's 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival Gala to highlight family reunion, major events
