SHANGHAI, February 8. /TASS/. Trade turnover between Russia and the Yangtze River Delta region (East China provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and the city of Shanghai) showed positive dynamics in January - November 2022, despite the tough COVID restrictions that were in place, Russian Consul General in Shanghai Dmitry Lukyantsev told TASS on Wednesday.

"The total trade turnover of the Yangtze River Delta region with Russia was characterized by very sound positive dynamics in January - November 2022: about $41.9 bln, which is 25% higher than the same period in 2021," the diplomat noted. No official figures for December are available so far, he added.

This region of China holds one of key places in foreign trade ties between the two countries and the numbers for 2022 testify that business activity was on the rise, despite the various anti-COVID measures hamstringing transportation links between Russia and China, the Consul General said. Prospects are upbeat for the progress on trade and economic cooperation between the region and Russia this year after the removal of the anti-COVID restrictions, but it is too early to talk about specific plans, the diplomat specified.

"However, it is worth noting that the right business loves silence and plans to intensify contacts have not yet been made public," the Russian envoy noted.

The Consulate General is ready to provide all possible assistance to projects already underway and to new business ventures.

"Contacts will hopefully return to the normal pre-COVID level. The Consulate General, based on our tasks, expects further growth in communications in trade and economic [ties], as well as in the financial and investment spheres," he added.

Shanghai traditionally sees peak business activity in September - November, Lukyantsev noted. The most significant event will be in November: the China International Import Expo (CIIE), which is listed among the exhibitions backed by the Russian Export Center.