In recent years, Shanxi province has been expanding its foreign trade and economic cooperation across various sectors, broadening its international "circle of friends" to accelerate the creation of an inland beacon for opening-up.

Leading manufacturers such as Jinneng Photovoltaic, Dayun Auto, and Lu'an Solar have utilized advanced technologies to expand into overseas markets. Exports of lithium-ion batteries, photovoltaic products, and electric vehicles surged from 1.11 billion yuan ($154.5 million) in 2020 to 3.3 billion yuan in 2024, seeing a 55.3 percent growth in the first quarter of this year and maintaining a high growth rate.

Landmark foreign investment projects, including Tesla's energy storage project and BASF's hydrogen energy collaboration project, have also been established in Shanxi, with the number of foreign-invested enterprises in the province increasing from over 500 in 2020 to more than 900 by 2024.

In February, Honeywell, a Fortune Global 500 company, visited Taiyuan and shared the technological processes and cooperation prospects of its sustainable aviation fuel project with over 30 representatives from Shanxi's energy, steel, and financial sectors. Attendees engaged in in-depth discussions on policy background, technological innovation, market demand, and cooperation models.

Shanxi has also promoted cultural exchange activities for many years. For instance, the Shanxi Provincial Health Commission's Talent Center has been providing professional training to over 3,400 medical and management personnel from 125 developing countries and regions for 26 consecutive years, enhancing global understanding of traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese culture.

Cultural and economic exchanges have expanded Shanxi's international network. By 2024, Shanxi had established international friendship city relationships with 67 local governments in 32 countries and friendly cooperative partnerships with 153 local governments in 57 countries, deepening cooperation in the energy, technology, medicine, and cultural tourism sectors.