Total trade value between China and South Asian countries jumped from less than $100 billion in 2013 to $197.4 billion in 2022, demonstrating a remarkable average annual growth rate of 8.3 percent, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed.

China has become the primary trade partner for South Asian nations and has consistently been the largest trading partner for countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh. Exports of aquatic products, tea, nuts and other commodities from the region to China have been continuously increasing, Li Fei, vice-minister of commerce, said at a news conference in Beijing.

China's cumulative investment in South Asia to date has approached $15 billion, with turnover of contracted projects exceeding $200 billion.