In 2005, Beijing's trade volume reached US$158.18 billion, with export volume of US$37.98 billion and import volume of US$120.2 billion. Exports included US$17.28 billion worth of electro-mechanical products and US$12.91 billion in new and hi-tech products. From January to July 2007, growth rates for Beijing's four major exports were all over 60%. Beijing's largest export market is the EU, while ASEAN has surpassed Japan and the US to become the second largest export market for Beijing. 

Foreign Trade and Cultural Ties
Beijing continues to enhance its cooperation and communication with other countries and districts in the areas of trade, science and technology, education and culture. Communications between the government and various non-governmental associations and social groups are frequent, forming the basis for multi-faceted and multi-level market, societal and business reforms in a wide range of areas. Beijing has set up sister city relations with 39 cities around the globe and there are over 26,000 students from foreign countries studying in Beijing.

Beijing's Sister Cities