China’s foreign trade sector showed strong resilience in 2025. Despite a complex global environment, the country reached a record high in total trade value. Additionally, total imports and exports exceeded 45 trillion yuan ($6.2 trillion). The figure marked a 3.8 percent year-on-year increase and the ninth straight year of growth. These results highlight the strength of the world’s largest goods trader amid global economic headwinds.
Moreover, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the General Administration of Customs (GAC) show not only higher trade volume but also improved structure. Kang Yi, head of the NBS, said total goods trade reached 45.47 trillion yuan. Exports rose 6.1 percent to 26.99 trillion yuan. Imports increased 0.5 percent to 18.48 trillion yuan. This marks the longest continuous expansion since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001.
Behind these figures lies a clear shift toward high-quality development. Wang Jun, deputy head of the GAC, said exports are moving toward more advanced and optimized products. High-tech product exports reached 5.25 trillion yuan, up 13.2 percent year-on-year. This growth shows that China continues to move up the global value chain.
Furthermore, the automotive industry stands out as a key driver of structural improvement. In 2025, China exported 3.43 million new energy vehicles (NEVs), a 70 percent increase from the previous year. This growth far exceeded the 16 percent rise recorded in 2024. NEVs accounted for 41 percent of total automobile exports, which reached 8.32 million units. The surge strengthened China’s position as the world’s largest auto exporter. It also reflected strong global demand for intelligent and high-quality Chinese manufacturing.
Dong Yu, executive vice-president of the China Institute for Development Planning at Tsinghua University, credited the stable performance to timely government action and long-term strategy. He explained that external pressures intensified in the second quarter of 2025. In response, the central government introduced targeted measures to stabilize foreign trade. These policies helped anchor growth.
Dong also stressed that sustained efforts to promote high-quality development and build a unified national market have supported trade expansion. Beyond policy support, operational efficiency at Chinese ports has become a major competitive advantage. Efficient customs clearance and intelligent scheduling ensure smooth trade flows, especially for complex exports such as automobiles.
Guangzhou Port’s Nansha Automobile Terminal offers a clear example. Large roll-on/roll-off ships regularly load NEVs for overseas markets. Shen Junhui, an industry veteran, said his business shifted from vehicle imports to exporting domestic NEVs. He described the growth in efficiency as dramatic and credited institutional innovation for the change.
To handle rising export volumes, Nansha Port introduced a “one-stop” service station. In the past, companies had to travel between the city center and the port to complete procedures. Now, they complete customs declarations, licensing, and transfer processes within the port area. Lu Chunrong, assistant general manager of Guangzhou Port Nansha Automobile Terminal Co Ltd, said the port operates up to seven ships at the same time. Through scientific scheduling and resource integration, the terminal can load more than 4,000 vehicles onto a single ship within 24 hours.
In conclusion, this high-efficiency model ensures fast docking, quick loading, and prompt departure. It also strengthens China’s role in global trade and highlights the vitality of its economy.
