China’s foreign trade remains a key growth driver. In the first eight months of 2025, total goods trade hit RMB 29.57 trillion, up 3.5% year-on-year. Growth also accelerated by 0.6 points compared to the first half. August trade alone reached RMB 3.87 trillion, marking the third straight month of import and export growth. Despite global protectionism and weak demand, the results show the resilience and vitality of China’s economy.
Diversified Partnerships Strengthen Stability
One of the defining features of China’s trade performance is its expanding global network. Exports and imports with ASEAN, the EU, and Africa all rose, while trade with Belt and Road partner countries increased by 5.4%, pushing their share of China’s overall trade to 51.7%. This is a milestone that underscores the importance of diversified markets in stabilizing growth.
By broadening its trade portfolio, China reduces reliance on any single partner and effectively cushions against external uncertainties. This diversification also sends a strong signal that China is positioning itself as a long-term, reliable trade partner across multiple regions, from traditional markets like Europe and Japan to emerging ones in Africa and Central Asia.
High-End Manufacturing Leads the Way
Beyond sheer volume, the quality of China’s trade is improving. Exports of high-end manufactured products are leading the charge. Mechanical and electrical products grew 9.2%, accounting for more than 60% of exports. Within this category, the so-called “new three” products—electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and solar panels—showed double-digit growth, while smart home devices, industrial robots, and advanced ships also recorded strong gains. These trends reflect how Chinese firms are climbing up the global value chain, focusing on innovation, quality, and sustainability.
Private enterprises are also playing a greater role. Nearly 90% of all active import-export companies this year are privately owned. Their combined trade volume rose 7.4%, lifting their share of total trade to 57.1%, 2.1 percentage points higher than the same period last year. Among China’s top 500 trading companies, 219 are private enterprises, nearly half of which are engaged in high-tech imports and exports. Their agility in adapting to rapidly changing markets, as well as their push toward smart and green transformation, confirms that they are the driving force behind China’s trade resilience.
Trade as a Growth Engine
Foreign trade has become a central pillar of China’s economic momentum. In the first half of 2025, trade in goods and services contributed 31.2% to GDP growth, second only to consumption among the three main drivers of the economy. Rising imports reflect stronger domestic demand and an improving consumer market, while sustained export growth highlights the global competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing.
This dual effect—supporting domestic consumption while strengthening global market presence—demonstrates how trade is not just stabilizing the economy but also laying the foundation for long-term growth. With imports of commodities and advanced products on the rise, China is also helping to stabilize global supply chains and support recovery worldwide.
Looking Ahead
Challenges remain on the horizon. Geopolitical tensions, unilateral tariff hikes, and rising protectionism in some countries continue to weigh on global trade. At the same time, international organizations have downgraded global trade forecasts for 2025. Yet, despite these pressures, China’s diversified trade structure, innovative industries, and complete industrial systems provide strong buffers against external shocks.
Looking ahead, China is deepening opening-up, strengthening supply chain resilience, and driving new productivity through innovation and green transformation. With its vast market and improving industrial structure, China is securing long-term growth while creating opportunities for global partners. The first eight months of 2025 show trade expanding in both scale and quality, acting as a stabilizer for the domestic economy and a key engine for global growth.
