In 2015, the total export-import volume in Huangdao district hit 81.15 billion yuan ($12.45 billion), moving it to first place among all districts in Qingdao, Shandong province, according to the bureau of commerce.

The district accounted for 18.6 percent of the total import and export volume in Qingdao.

Despite downward pressure on economic growth last year, Huangdao's export-import volume rose 3 percent compared with 2014, owing to strategic opportunities involving the Belt and Road initiatives and free trade areas.

The exports amounted to 47.54 billion yuan, up 0.5 percent, and the imports reached 33.62 billion yuan, up 6.9 percent.

The export-import volume of high-tech products rose 21.5 percent year-on-year to $2.78 billion, including $1.34 billion in exports and $1.44 billion in imports.

Last year saw 1,421 more foreign trade companies register in Huangdao district. The Qingdao West Coast New Area, in particular, has developed into a cluster of foreign trade companies.