Imports and exports of Zhoushan in Zhejiang province reached 84.81 billion yuan ($11.71 billion) in the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year increase of 6.0 percent, according to authorities.

Exports stood at 279.7 billion yuan, a 4.7 percent increase, while imports amounted to 568.4 billion yuan, a 6.7 percent growth.

Imports of bulk commodities accounted for a large share of the total, with imports of crude oil, refined oil and liquefied natural gas reaching 44.51 billion yuan, 2.58 billion yuan, and 1.13 billion yuan, respectively, up 5.1 percent, 49.2 percent, and 44.8 percent year-on-year.

The strong performance can be largely attributed to a series of measures implemented by authorities, including boosting bulk commodity trade and initiating a series of platforms such as an import supply chain digitalization service platform and an automated logistics and warehousing platform for imported seafood products.

To expand exports, authorities also rolled out favorable policies to encourage more enterprises to participate in fairs such as the Canton Fair and Seafood Expo North America.