File photo: CGTN

NANJING, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- East China's economic powerhouse province of Jiangsu reported 4.3 percent export growth in the January-September period as local businesses explored the emerging markets.

Jiangsu, which has the second-largest GDP among the country's provincial-level regions, reported a little over 2 trillion yuan (283 billion U.S. dollars) of exports in the three quarters, according to the Nanjing Customs.

Exports of privately-owned businesses jumped 14.4 percent in the period as they expanded overseas despite complicated global trade situations.

China's further opening-up policy also helped businesses in Jiangsu explore new markets. The province saw exports to the Belt and Road countries and regions rise 12.3 percent.

In spite of the export growth, Jiangsu saw imports decline 6.4 percent year on year to 1.2 trillion yuan in the nine months.

The province managed to report a stable foreign trade. Total trade in the nine months edged up 0.02 percent to 3.2 trillion yuan.