China didn't meet its 8 percent export growth target last year, leaving many wondering if overseas sales could remain a driving force of the nation's economy.

However, one city outperformed: Yiwu in Zhejiang province, which recorded a gain of 150 percent in exports to $9.01 billion.

The rapid rise continued in the first half of this year as Yiwu's exports hit $9.43 billion, up 408 percent.