URUMQI -- Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region saw an upsurge in its foreign trade during the January-August period, according to Urumqi customs.

The region's imports and exports surged by 51.2 percent year on year, reaching 219.19 billion yuan (around $30 billion) in the first eight months.

Xinjiang has engaged in foreign trade with 170 countries and regions this year. Its foreign trade with five Central Asian countries grew by 59.1 percent year on year to 176.64 billion yuan, accounting for 80.6 percent of the regional total.

Labor-intensive, mechanical and electrical products remained Xinjiang's major export items during the period, while the export of new-energy products and solar cells rose significantly, according to customs.

In the first eight months, imports of both mineral and agricultural products rose sharply. The import of agricultural products reached 4.67 billion yuan, up 43.2 percent year on year.