Jiangsu logs about 40 bln yuan in trade with Central Asia after cooperation platform launch

A year after its launch, the China-Central Asia trade facilitation cooperation platform in Nanjing, capital of China's eastern Jiangsu Province, has attracted more than 40 institutions and businesses from Central Asia and China, as well as over 600 cross-border e-commerce firms, according to Nanjing Customs.

The platform was established as a major outcome of the China-Central Asia Summit.

The platform has boosted Jiangsu's trade with Central Asia. Since its launch, the province has recorded nearly 40 billion yuan (about 5.89 billion U.S. dollars) in imports and exports with Central Asian countries.

Automobiles, electrical equipment, and home appliances made up more than 70 percent of exports, while energy, minerals, and high-quality farm and food products lead the import side.

The platform is injecting fresh momentum into the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Jiangsu logs about 40 bln yuan in trade with Central Asia after cooperation platform launch

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday warned of surging fossil fuel prices, saying measures would be taken to tackle rising energy costs as winter approaches.

Addressing the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, France, von der Leyen said natural gas prices in Europe had jumped 140 percent and diesel prices had doubled since late February, with an extra 100 billion euros spent on imported fossil fuels.

With winter approaching, high energy costs were likely to put more strain on households and businesses, she said, adding the European Union would roll out measures including a strategic dialogue for European refineries and joint energy purchases to curb rising energy prices and cut reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Von der Leyen warns of rising EU energy costs, vows action