China's Foreign Trade Shows Resilience with Growth in the First Three Quarters of 2025

On 13 October, at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office of China, officials from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) shared the country's trade performance for the first three quarters of 2025. Wang Jun, Deputy Commissioner of the GAC, and Lü Daliang, Spokesperson and Director-General of the Department of Statistics and Analysis, reported that total goods trade for the period reached RMB 33.61 trillion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 4%.

Trade Figures and Market Insights

Exports during this period amounted to RMB 19.95 trillion, marking a 7.1% increase, while imports stood at RMB 13.66 trillion, a slight decline of 0.2%. In September alone, total imports and exports reached RMB 4.04 trillion, showing an 8% increase compared to the previous year.

The figures reflect a steady improvement in trade activity, with growth accelerating quarter-on-quarter. The first quarter saw a 1.3% growth in imports and exports, followed by a 4.5% increase in the second quarter, and 6% in the third quarter. This marks the eighth consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth for China’s trade.

Diversification of Trading Partners

China’s trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) reached RMB 17.37 trillion in the first three quarters, a 6.2% increase, accounting for 51.7% of total trade. This figure reflects a 1.1 percentage point increase from the previous year. Trade with ASEAN, Latin America, Africa, Central Asia saw notable growth, with increases of 9.6%, 3.9%, 19.5%, and 16.7%, respectively. Trade with other APEC economies increased by 2%.

Rising Innovation in Exports

A significant trend in China's exports is the growing share of high-tech and innovative products. Machinery and electrical products, for instance, accounted for 60.5% of total exports, a 9.6% rise to RMB 12.07 trillion. Exports of high-tech products such as electronic information, high-end equipment, and instruments grew by 8.1%, 22.4%, and 15.2%, respectively. Green products including the 'new three categories' and railway electric locomotives all achieved double-digit growth rates.

Recovery in Imports

China's imports showed signs of recovery, bolstered by rising domestic demand. The growth rate for imports in the second and third quarters was 0.3% and 4.7%, respectively. Notably, imports of crude oil and metal ores rose by 4.9% and 10.1%, respectively, with significant increases in imports ofmeasuring and testing instruments, computers, and communications equipment.

Active Foreign Trade Entities

The number of Chinese enterprises engaged in foreign trade continued to rise, with over 700,000 companies involved in imports and exports by the end of September. Among these, private enterprises accounted for the majority, with 613,000 businesses reporting a total import and export value of RMB 19.16 trillion, up 7.8% year-on-year. Foreign-invested enterprises accounted for RMB 9.82 trillion, a 3.1% increase from the previous year.

Strength in Export Growth

Despite challenges from a complex global environment, China's export sector showed strong resilience. With a growth rate exceeding 7% in the first three quarters, exports continued to expand for eight consecutive quarters. The diverse range of export products and sectors contributed to this sustained growth. Industrial robots, for example, saw a remarkable 54.9% increase in exports, while wind turbine exports grew by 23.9%. Additionally, Chinese exports of intangible cultural heritage products, such as dragon boats and wood carvings, have gained traction internationally.

Import Market Dynamics

China, as the world's second-largest goods import market, continues to offer significant opportunities for global suppliers. Although international commodity prices impacted import growth, China's import volume index rose by 0.6% year-on-year. Imports of crude oil and metal ores, as well as food, tobacco, and alcohol, saw increases, and imports from least developed countries, which benefit from zero tariffs, grew by 9.7%.

Processing Trade on the Rise

Processing trade, which links domestic and international production chains, continued its upward trajectory in the first three quarters. Imports and exports in this sector reached RMB 6.18 trillion, a 6.9% increase year-on-year. Notably, high-tech products now account for 32.6% of processing trade exports, with significant growth in flat panel display modules, electrical equipment, and medical instruments.

Belt and Road Trade Surges

Trade with Belt and Road partner countries surged by 6.2%, reaching RMB 17.37 trillion. This was driven by an increase in exports of electronic information products, high-end equipment, and wind turbines. The initiative continues to bolster economic and trade cooperation with partner countries, with China's share of global trade growing steadily. The GAC signed over 100 cooperation documents with BRI countries in 2025, highlighting the continued expansion of China’s global economic footprint.

Looking Ahead: Optimistic Export and Import Outlooks

With the upcoming China International Import Expo in Shanghai next month, China remains focused on facilitating market access and showcasing new technologies. The event is expected to strengthen foreign trade relationships and offer multinational corporations a platform to expand their presence in China's vast market.

As for imports, China's focus on expanding access to agricultural products from global partners, particularly within the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation), is expected to continue, with agricultural product imports from SCO countries up by 6.1%.

In conclusion, China's foreign trade performance in the first three quarters of 2025 demonstrates the resilience and dynamism of its economy amid global uncertainties. With diversified markets, growing innovation, and continued integration into international trade networks, China remains a pivotal player in global commerce.