Business people from Central Asia attend a convention in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: Yiwufb]

The China-Central Asia Summit is being held in Xi'an, Shaanxi province from May 18 to 19. At the Yiwu International Trade Market, many merchants, including Tang Mingqi, a business owner in District 2, are filled with anticipation.

"Central Asia is one of the main regions for our exports, accounting for 70 percent of my company's sales," said Tang.

In recent years, Tang's kitchenware products have gained more customers in Central Asian countries. "The convening of the summit will definitely bring more Central Asian customers to Yiwu."

The Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe freight train service to Central Asia commemorates its 10th anniversary on April 23. [Photo/WeChat account: Yiwufb]

On April 23, the Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe freight train service to Central Asia commemorated its 10th anniversary.

In 2022, the freight train service facilitated 7.55 billion yuan ($1.09 billion) worth of trade, a 17-fold increase over 2013. Yiwu's imports and exports to the five Central Asian countries saw an identical increase to 7.55 billion yuan over the same period.

From January to April of this year, exports amounted to 1.71 billion yuan. In April alone, Yiwu exported 499 million yuan in goods to the five Central Asian countries, a year-on-year increase of 7.18 percent.

The freight trains also brought a continuous influx of Central Asian merchants harboring dreams of striking it rich. According to local authorities, there are about 600 businessmen from Central Asian countries residing in Yiwu.