In 2004, Taizhou welcomed foreign exchange frequently. More than 10 important delegations, including Hacienda Heights education delegation of California, US and governmental delegations of Auburn, Denmark, of Sakaide, Japan, of Heisenberg, Sweden, of Tsuruga, Japan, of Hoengseong-gun, South Korea and other countries visited Taizhou. Meanwhile, 743 groups, totally 1325 person-times invited traveling merchants and scholars visited Taizhou.? Taizhou itself organized delegations of government, education, economy and trade, urban construction, culture and other related departments to go abroad for fact-finding tours, and dispatched the number of groups going abroad for business? research amounted to 840 groups, totaling 2007 persons/times.

Civil exchange was also conducted as well. The “Five Gold Flowers” Art Photography Delegation of Taizhou presented a photo exhibition in Tsuruga, Japan. The Stars Folk Art Ensemble of Huangyan represented China in the International Folk Arts Festival in Portugal. Wuzixiong Glass Art Hall established a sister hall relationship with Musee Des Sires De Pons, France. Meanwhile, the “White Lion Magic Group” and the Addidas Basketball Team were invited to perform and compete in Taizhou.

In 2004, the total value of Taizhou’s direct foreign trade amounted to 4.79 billion USD, an increase of 45.6% above that of the previous year, 6.8 percentage points beyond the average level of the province. Its direct export value amounted to 3.8 billion USD, 43.3% higher than that of the previous year. Its import value amounted 0.99 billion USD, 55.3% above that of 2003. Its exports consist of19 types and over 2,000 varieties. The export of hi-tech products

such as mechanical electronics and medical chemical products grew rapidly. Export of traditional labor-intensive products such as new types of handiworks and garments increased steadily. Export of mechanical products, marine products, canned foods and decorative lights grew rapidly. It has set up direct business relations with over 160 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, Africa, North Africa and Latin America. Its export value to the Middle East totaled 0.312 billion USD, 110% above that of the previous year, in which its export value to the United Arab Emirates amounted to 135 million USD, increased 142.6%, and made it the third biggest trading partner of Taizhou following the US and Germany..

Its newly signed projects introducing foreign investment amounted to 123, with the total project investment value of 614 million USD. Its negotiated foreign investment value amounted to 275 million USD, and its actually used foreign investment value of 216 million USD increased 40.3% above that of 2003.

Taizhou has 5 economic development zones at the provincial level that enjoy a series of related preferential policies of economic development zones in coastal open cities. In 2004, the 5 zones approved 19 new foreign invested enterprises with a total investment value of188.46 million USD. Their cumulative approved projects amount to 167, with a total investment value of 635 million USD.