Guangzhou's Nansha district saw a total import and export value of 213.78 billion yuan ($30.21 billion) in 2019, achieving a year-on-year growth of 3.4 percent against trend and accounting for 21.4 percent of Guangzhou's total, Guangzhou Customs announced on April 23.

The trade volume between Nansha and some areas, especially the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan, increased remarkably.

The district has carried out economic and trade relationships with at least 64 countries alongside the Belt and Road Initiative, while the import and export volume with these countries in 2019 reached 51.2 billion yuan, including an export volume of 32.25 billion yuan.

At present, a total of 113 companies in Nansha have achieved Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification. This means they are able to obtain a green permit for international trade, which will empower enterprises' efforts to broaden their business in overseas markets in 42 countries and regions.

With the help of the integration of rail-road combined logistics and China-Europe freight trains, the time period for goods to be exported to Europe has been shortened to 15 days from the previous 45 days, while saving more than 50 percent of the original costs.

Currently, the global top 21 liner ship companies have based themselves in Nansha, opening a total of 105 foreign trade ship lines and carrying out marine trade with more than 400 ports from over 100 countries and regions.

Nansha's cruise industry has grown steadily as the area received 93 inbound and outbound cruises in 2019 as well as 309,000 passengers, ranking among the top three in China in terms of passenger numbers.

Nansha has beefed up the development of cross-border electronic commerce, as the bonded import business of cross-border e-commerce online purchases amounted to 14.43 billion yuan in 2019, representing a year-on-year growth of 46.2 percent.