Storyline: China's bicycle export climbs up despite global trade headwind [Voice_over] China's bicycle exports sustained an upward trend in the first quarter of the year, data shows, fueled by production line upgrades and demand from new markets. At a major bicycle production base in Tianjin, workers are loading packaged bicycles into containers destined for Japan, which imports about 4,000 units per day. The head of the company's sales department said part of their success is due to their rapid manufacturing realignment that allows them to make a range of products including children's bikes, e-bikes and mountain bikes. [Sound_bite] Wu Xiang, head, sales department, bicycle maker: "Our Q1 sales volume remained stable year-on-year, but revenue grew by approximately 5 percent. Notably, our export product mix has diversified-now including sport leisure bikes, children's bicycles, mountain bikes, and e-bikes." [Voice_over] Many bike manufacturers say they're pivoting to emerging markets for sales, which has become a key driver in growing their exports. [Sound_bite] Yu Xinjian, general manager, bicycle maker: "In Q1, we primarily focus on the Japanese and Korean markets. In July, August and October, we will shift our attention to the Russian and European markets." [Voice_over] According to the China Bicycle Association, China exported more than 12 million units in the first three months of the year, a more than 15 percent increase, year on year. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]