This aerial photo taken on July 18, 2023 shows a China-Europe freight train bound for Hamburg, Germany waiting for departure at Putian Station in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

ZHENGZHOU, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Foreign trade of central China's Henan Province reached nearly 572 billion yuan (about 80 billion U.S. dollars) in the first three quarters of 2023, according to local customs.

Customs authorities in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, said the province's exports increased to over 373 billion yuan, while its imports totaled more than 198 billion yuan during the period.

The province's trade surplus during the period notched up 174.2 billion yuan, up 20.2 percent year on year.

Notably, Henan's foreign trade value in September soared by 46 percent compared with the previous month, marking the second-highest monthly import and export value so far this year.

During the first three quarters, over half of Henan's foreign trade came from comprehensive bonded zones across the province. Meanwhile, its foreign trade with Belt and Road Initiative partner countries grew steadily to more than 255 billion yuan during the period.

Web editor: Li Xiaoshu, Zhang Rui