The foreign trade volume of Jinan, capital city of Shandong province, totaled 19.52 billion yuan ($2.83 billion) in March, an increase of 25.9 percent year-on-year, according to the city's customs authorities on April 21.

During the same period, its exports rose 41.2 percent year-on-year to 12.94 billion yuan, while its imports grew 3.8 percent to 6.58 billion yuan.

In March, Jinan's foreign trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Africa, and the United States reached 5.58 billion yuan, 1.58 billion yuan, and 1.26 billion yuan, respectively, with an increase of 85.3 percent, 9.5 percent, and 7.9 percent.

In addition, the city's foreign trade with other members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership grew 50.8 percent to 7.5 billion yuan, while its trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative surged 71.7 percent to 9.04 billion yuan in March.

In March, Jinan's major exports – mechanical and electrical products, agricultural products, as well as textiles and garments – increased 62.7 percent, 12.9 percent, and 71.4 percent, respectively, to 8.34 billion yuan, 660 million yuan, and 570 million yuan.

During the same period, Jinan posted an increase in imports of refined oil, coal, and pulp, with their volume amounting to 470 million yuan, 350 million yuan, and 280 million yuan, respectively, with an increase of 224.7 times, 18.6 times, and 39.8 percent.