THE import and export volume in the Chinese resort city of Sanya surged to 24.23 billion yuan (US$3.4 billion ) in 2023, up 13.1% year-on-year, with duty-free goods playing a vital role, said the Sanya Customs on Sunday.

In 2023, Sanya, in Hainan Province, witnessed a 25.5% increase in the import of duty-free goods, totaling 10.76 billion yuan and constituting 44.4% of the city’s overall import and export value.

Private enterprises experienced a 1.8 times growth in imports and exports, while foreign-invested enterprises saw a 1.1 times increase.(Xinhua)