Linyi's trade with members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has become a new growth area for the city's foreign trade, with increased demand, complementary resources, and better overland logistics strengthening ties with SCO markets.

In the first four months, Linyi's imports and exports with SCO member countries reached 3.41 billion yuan ($474 million), an increase of 5.1 percent year-on-year, 12.5 percentage points higher than the city's overall trade growth. This accounted for 6.3 percent of Linyi's total foreign trade.

Exports drove the expansion, rising 15.4 percent to 3.08 billion yuan. Linyi-made construction machinery, rubber tires, textiles and garments, plastic products, and other labor-intensive goods gained popularity in SCO markets. Exports of textiles and garments, plastic products, furniture and parts, and basic mechanical components increased by 35.5 percent, 39.2 percent, 345.7 percent, and 14.9 percent, respectively.

Imports also became more diverse, supported by the resource advantages of SCO countries and Linyi's manufacturing needs. Russian birch timber, Indian iron ore and agricultural products, and Pakistani copper ingots are among the main imports. Imports of wood and wood products from SCO countries surged by 121.6 percent.

India, Russia, and Kazakhstan were the three largest contributors to this growth, while Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan also posted fast growth. TIR and other land transport services are enhancing connectivity. In the first four months, Linyi's land-based trade with SCO markets reached 690 million yuan, up 47.8 percent. Linyi Customs said it will further optimize full-chain clearance services and policy support for exporters.