Foreign trade of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region reached 520.37 billion yuan (about 74.4 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025, up 19.9 percent year on year, surpassing the 500-billion-yuan threshold for the first time, Urumqi Customs announced Friday.
The robust growth was fueled by a series of policies designed to expand foreign trade. Cross-border e-commerce exports surged by 232.8 percent and imports via border residents' mutual trade rose by 68.5 percent.
Xinjiang's expanding international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) contributed significantly, with trade value involving BRI partner countries hitting 458.37 billion yuan, up 14.7 percent.
Trade with the five Central Asian countries alone reached 276.69 billion yuan. The region also accelerated its outreach to ASEAN, Africa, West Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
Notably, Xinjiang's export structure continued to optimize, with mechanical and electrical product exports amounting to 186.5 billion yuan, a jump of 40.7 percent. Among these, shipments of automotive parts, electrical equipment and electronic components saw significant increases, while exports of high-end equipment linked to new quality productive forces surged nearly 70 percent.
Agricultural exports, including walnuts and grapes, also gained momentum, driving a 25.4 percent increase in the region's total agricultural exports.
Xinjiang's foreign trade in 2025 hits new record
Xinjiang's foreign trade in 2025 hits new record
Xinjiang's foreign trade in 2025 hits new record
The promo of China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Spring Festival Gala has been showcased at overseas Chinese New Year celebrations and city landmarks, bringing a vibrant festive atmosphere to locals and homesick Chinese people.
The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday for Chinese people. It falls on Feb 17 this year, ushering in the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle.
The gala's live broadcast on the eve of the festival has become a cherished part of the celebrations in hundreds of millions of homes.
The promotional video was featured at the "Icebreakers" Chinese New Year Dinner 2026 held in London, UK. The captivating audio-visual presentation showcased the unique charm of the Chinese New Year and the vigorous spirit of the Chinese people to attendees from both Chinese and British communities.
The promo was also displayed at the China-Cyprus Spring Festival Celebration Gala 2026 in Nicosia, conveying the theme of harmony and reunion that is celebrated during the Chinese New Year.
During the event, participants enjoyed splendid cultural performances including traditional opera, martial arts, acrobatics, songs and dances, as well as robot shows, and celebrated the profound friendship between the people of China and Cyprus.
Meanwhile, the promotional video for this grand gala has been played on screens across Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania. It has been continuously displayed since Saturday at the Julius Nyerere International Airport, the central business district, and outdoor billboards lining the streets, drawing local citizens and overseas Chinese in Tanzania.
"I'm really excited to watch the promotional video of the CMG's Spring Festival Gala in Tanzania. This time, I can't return home due to work reasons, but as a Chinese, I will still watch the Spring Festival Gala even if I'm in Africa as it is a must-do Chinese New Year celebration. Although I miss home, I won't feel lonely being able to watch the Spring Festival Gala with Chinese people all over the world," said Li Zhichong, a Chinese living in Tanzania.
CMG Spring Festival Gala promo shown in various countries
