China's Foreign Trade Growth Remains Resilient Amid Global Uncertainty

Strategic Insights -

China's foreign trade growth remained stable in the first three quarters of 2025, with total trade value reaching 33.61 trillion yuan, a 4 percent year-on-year increase. The country's exports and imports showed contrasting trends, with exports rising 7.1 percent year-on-year to 19.95 trillion yuan, while imports dipped 0.2 percent to 13.66 trillion yuan during the same period. The country's production and supply chains have become increasingly efficient, with the growth of industrial clusters for tech-intensive green products, such as electric vehicles and solar cells, expected to further strengthen China's export foundation and bolster long-term growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • China's foreign trade grew 4 percent year-on-year to 33.61 trillion yuan in the first three quarters of 2025, with exports rising 7.1 percent year-on-year to 19.95 trillion yuan.
  • The number of Chinese companies engaged in import and export activities reached 700,000 for the first time, surpassing the total for the whole of last year.
  • China's trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia rose 9.6 percent, 3.9 percent, 19.5 percent, and 16.7 percent year-on-year, respectively, from January to September.
  • Companies such as Garmin China Yangzhou Co and Ningbo Topright Leisure Products Co have achieved rapid growth in exports, with Garmin's exports reaching more than 66 million yuan, a 700 percent year-on-year growth, and Ningbo Topright Leisure Products Co's exports to Europe and emerging markets growing 26 percent year-on-year to 70 million yuan.
  • The growth of industrial clusters for tech-intensive green products, such as electric vehicles and solar cells, is expected to further strengthen China's export foundation and bolster long-term growth.

Statistics:

  • Total foreign trade value: 33.61 trillion yuan
  • Export growth: 7.1 percent year-on-year
  • Import growth: -0.2 percent year-on-year
  • Number of Chinese companies engaged in import and export activities: 700,000
  • Trade growth with ASEAN: 9.6 percent year-on-year
  • Trade growth with Latin America: 3.9 percent year-on-year
  • Trade growth with Africa: 19.5 percent year-on-year
  • Trade growth with Central Asia: 16.7 percent year-on-year
  • Garmin China Yangzhou Co's exports: 66 million yuan (a 700 percent year-on-year growth)
  • Ningbo Topright Leisure Products Co's exports to Europe and emerging markets: 70 million yuan (a 26 percent year-on-year growth)

Sources:

  • Wang Jun, vice-minister of the General Administration of Customs
  • Liang Ming, director of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation's Institute of International Trade
  • Lyu Daliang, director of the GAC's department of statistics and analysis
  • Wang Danping, head of foreign trade unit at Garmin China Yangzhou Co
  • Ai Ni, foreign trade manager at Ningbo Topright Leisure Products Co
  • China Daily Information Company