Core Viewpoint - Jiangsu's foreign trade and domestic consumption have shown resilience and growth despite external challenges, driven by technological innovation, policy support, and market diversification. Foreign Trade Performance - From January to April, Jiangsu's total import and export volume reached 1.85 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.7% [1] - In April, the province achieved an import and export volume of 490.72 billion yuan, growing by 7.5%, marking the highest level for the same period [2] - Suzhou's import and export volume increased by 6.8% from January to April, surpassing the national average of 4.4% [2] - Cross-border e-commerce in Jiangsu grew by 175.3% in the same period, indicating a significant shift towards new trade channels [2] Market Diversification Strategies - Jiangsu is actively expanding into emerging markets to mitigate risks associated with reliance on single markets [3] - The establishment of new international shipping routes, such as the one from Suzhou to Peru, has reduced logistics costs by over 20% [3] - Cross-border e-commerce platforms have seen a 63.8% increase in imports and exports, becoming a new growth engine for foreign trade [4] Domestic Consumption Trends - Retail sales in Jiangsu reached nearly 1.6 trillion yuan from January to April, with a year-on-year growth of 5.5% [1] - The automotive sector saw a 3.3% increase in retail sales, driven by policies encouraging vehicle trade-in programs [6] - Green appliances also experienced significant growth, with sales of energy-efficient products increasing by 67.2% [6] Innovation and High-Tech Growth - Jiangsu's high-tech manufacturing sector grew by 12.9% in April, with notable increases in electronic equipment and lithium-ion battery manufacturing [8] - The province is focusing on innovation as a key driver for economic growth, with a strong emphasis on developing advanced technologies [8][9] Financial Support and Market Outlook - By the end of April, Jiangsu's financial institutions reported a total deposit balance of 26.6 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6% [9] - The province anticipates stable economic growth in the first half of the year, supported by declining tariffs and the release of domestic demand potential [10]