A China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan freight train departs Lanzhou, Gansu province, on June 5, 2020. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

LANZHOU - Northwest China's Gansu province saw robust growth in its foreign trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2023, with total import and export value expanding 55 percent year-on-year to 8.94 billion yuan ($1.26 billion), according to local customs.

Under the Belt and Road Initiative, Gansu continued to expand trade cooperation with ASEAN members in 2023, covering a wide range of fields including energy and mineral products, grain, seeds, fruits and vegetables.

In recent years, Gansu has developed a batch of high-quality agricultural products by improving its industrial chain and optimizing its industrial structure. These products are favored by consumers in ASEAN countries.

"Gansu should continue to improve operation levels and services provided by Gansu freight trains on the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor," said Wang Yuecheng, chairman of Gansu Logistics Group, at the annual session of the Gansu Provincial People's Congress.

In 2023, Gansu handled 598 international freight trains, an increase of 38 percent year-on-year, and opened three new international freight routes. It also saw growth of 3.8 percent in exports and recorded expansion of 6.3 percent in cross-border e-commerce transactions, statistics showed.