Quzhou's imports and exports were valued at 16.31 billion yuan ($2.37 billion) in the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year increase of 37 percent, according to official statistics from Quzhou Customs.

Specifically, its exports totaled 9.75 billion yuan, while its import volume amounted to 6.56 billion yuan.

The city's top three trading partners during the three months were ASEAN, South Korea, and the European Union. Its trade with these economies was valued at 4.37 billion yuan, 1.83 billion yuan, and 1.65 billion yuan respectively.

In addition, the city's trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative rose 117.4 percent to 6.89 billion yuan.

During this period, Quzhou's trade volume with Brazil hit 1.65 billion yuan, soaring by 132.3 percent year-on-year and accounting for 10.1 percent of the city's total.

Exports of mechanical and electrical products amounted to 2.35 billion yuan, up 10 percent year-on-year.

Significant growth was seen in exports of new energy products in the first quarter, during which Quzhou exported 430 million yuan worth of solar cells, a year-on-year increase of 105.6 percent.

In addition, the city's imports of paper pulp over the three months hit 2.1 billion yuan, rising by 156.3 percent and accounting for 32 percent of the city's total.