Hunan Province's total import and export value with Africa in the first eight months reached 38.44 billion CNY, a year-on-year increase of 13.2%, according to recent data from the Changsha Customs Authority. Exports amounted to 19.35 billion CNY, up 9.3%, while imports totaled 19.09 billion CNY, rising 17.4%.

On the intelligent production line of the Hunan Redsolar New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a number of palm-sized battery cells undergo a series of processes including welding, stacking, lamination, and testing, being transformed into finished solar photovoltaic modules. These modules are set to be exported to Africa.

In the first eight months, Hunan's exports to Africa were dominated by mechanical and electrical products, with electrical equipment, construction machinery, and the "new three"--new energy vehicles (NEVs), lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products showing the most remarkable growth. Exports of mechanical and electrical products reached 11.02 billion CNY, marking a 16.8% increase and accounting for 57% of the province's total exports to Africa during the same period. Meanwhile, exports of construction machinery products, steel, and the "new three" products reached 2.58 billion CNY, 1.27 billion CNY, and 610 million CNY, respectively, growing by 66.9%, 15.8%, and 530.6%.

During the January-August period, Hunan's electric vehicles exports to Africa reached 110 million CNY, surging by 785.3%. Among these, exports to Zimbabwe amounted to 37.825 million CNY, marking a remarkable increase of 32.5 times. Exports of photovoltaic products to Africa totaled 57.327 million CNY, growing by 345.1%, with particularly rapid growth seen in exports to Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Exports of lithium-ion batteries to Africa reached 440 million CNY, rising by 517.7%, with significant growth in exports to Côte d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

From January to August, South Africa remained Hunan's largest trading partner in Africa. Hunan's import and export value with South Africa reached 9.79 billion CNY, accounting for 25.5% of the province's total during the same period. Since the end of last year, China has granted zero-tariff access for 100% of tariff lines to all least-developed countries (LDCs) that have diplomatic ties with it. Additionally, it has facilitated greater market access for exports from African LDCs. During the same period, Hunan's trade with Africa's LDCs reached 15.52 billion CNY, an increase of 12.9%, accounting for 40.4% of the total.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn