According to statistics from Shanghai Customs, the Yangtze River Delta region recorded a total import and export value of 13.16 trillion yuan in the first eight months of this year, setting a new historical high for the same period and marking an 18.8% year-on-year increase while accounting for 37.8% of the nation's total foreign trade. This growth streak has now extended for 18 consecutive months.

Exports reached 8.34 trillion yuan while imports totaled 4.82 trillion yuan, representing 41.4% and 33% of the country's respective totals, with increases of 17.9% and 20.4%. These figures reflect sustained growth momentum, with exports rising for five consecutive months and imports for seventeen straight months.

In terms of trading partners, the region's trade with Belt and Road Initiative countries reached 6.76 trillion yuan, up 21.7%. Trade with other RCEP member states grew 34.8% to 4.7 trillion yuan, while trade with ASEAN nations expanded 30.4% to 2.29 trillion yuan. Additionally, trade with other APEC members increased 26.5% to 7.98 trillion yuan, and trade with Africa rose 15.7% to 664.81 billion yuan.

On the export front, electromechanical products delivered standout performance. During the first eight months, the region exported 5.35 trillion yuan worth of electromechanical products, representing over 60% of its total exports at 64.2%, and marking a 26.6% increase. Notably, integrated circuit exports surged 100% to 730.44 billion yuan, ship exports climbed 30.8% to 181.37 billion yuan, automobile exports jumped 66.8% to 434.49 billion yuan, and high-end equipment exports rose 22% to 492.64 billion yuan. Exports of the "new three items" (electric vehicles, photovoltaic products, and lithium batteries) grew 59.4% to 565.85 billion yuan.

Particularly noteworthy is the rapid growth in exports of what could be called the "new-new three items" representing future industries, including robotics, artificial intelligence, and innovative pharmaceuticals. Combined exports of four types of robots — surgical robots, intelligent bionic robots, cleaning robots, and industrial robots — totaled 16 billion yuan, tripling year-on-year. High-tech products closely tied to the artificial intelligence industry saw exports climb 48.6% to 2.24 trillion yuan, while pharmaceutical materials and medicines exports increased 16.6% to 60.47 billion yuan.

On the import side, the first eight months saw electromechanical product imports reach 2.26 trillion yuan, rising 36.2%. Among these, electronic component imports grew 72.5% to 1.11 trillion yuan, while automatic data processing equipment and parts imports more than doubled to 224.24 billion yuan, providing solid support for the region's advanced manufacturing sector. Additionally, metal ore and mineral sand imports increased 19.1% to 448.3 billion yuan, and agricultural product imports rose 3.6% to 328.66 billion yuan.