In recent years, North China's Shanxi province has used its unique geographical, resource, energy, and industrial advantages to make steady progress toward opening-up.

Shanxi has seized significant strategic opportunities, such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the rise of Central China, to support leading foreign trade enterprises in stabilizing and expanding intermediate goods trade. It has also continually increased exports of advantageous products like daily-use ceramics and specialty agricultural products.

Efforts are also being made to enhance the quality of foreign trade, support new models such as cross-border e-commerce, promote self-operated bulk commodity import and export, attract international trade headquarters, and cultivate strong foreign trade entities. Shanxi's enterprises have directly invested in 50 countries and regions, including Zimbabwe and Malaysia.

Shanxi boasts three airports in Taiyuan, Datong, and Yuncheng and has launched a comprehensive cross-border e-commerce service platform. The province has also hosted international events such as the Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum, the Pingyao International Photography Festival, and the Jinyang Lake Digital Economy Development Summit.

The "Shanxi Brands Tour on the Silk Road" event showcased the province's new transformation achievements and new image to the international community. By the end of 2023, Shanxi had established international sister-city relationships with 63 local governments in 30 countries and friendly cooperative partnerships with 131 local governments in 53 countries. The province has also organized international sister-city cooperation dialogues and other activities to deepen cooperation in energy, technology, pharmaceuticals, and cultural tourism.

Looking ahead, Shanxi will adopt an even more open mindset, actively align with the BRI, and strive to become a new inland beacon for opening-up.