Parting with the glorious year of 1999, Zhejiang is now in the new millennium

Foreign trade and economic cooperation again witnessed big growth - the province's total import and export turnover went up 23.2% to US$18.3bn, of which exports accounted for US$12.9bn, up18.5%. Holding the 4th place in export volume, Zhejiang is one of the top exporters of China. The quality and grade of export goods are improving; while the number of foreign trade firms is multiplying. The use of foreign capital sees new expansion and upgrading, while foreign economic and technological cooperation and exchange are being enhanced, attaining remarkable achievements. By date, Zhejiang has tied up direct economic and trade relations with over 190 countries and regions around the world.

The whole province has basically formed an extensive opening-up pattern, with coastal cities as the leader, and various state/provincial-level development zones as the main body. With the coming of the new century, Zhejiang Province's foreign economy and trade faces new historic opportunities and exciting challenges. Situate in the world environment of economic globalization, and resuming the arduous task of national reform and development, Zhejiang has to grasp the opportunities and speed up the wheel of its opening economy. The year 2000 is the turning point of the new century and also the last year to fulfill the 9th Five-Year-Plan. According to the needs of provincial economic development and in order to adapt ourselves to the opportunities and challenges after entry into WTO, we should focus on all aspects of foreign economic and trade activities.