According to a report by China Daily on February 9th
China’s continued push to expand imports is emerging as a key feature of its high-level opening-up strategy, offering predictable demand and new opportunities for global businesses amid economic uncertainty.
The effort aligns with President Xi Jinping’s repeated statements that China’s development is not pursued in isolation. Instead, the country aims to share the opportunities of its vast domestic market with the world. Xi has emphasized that high-quality opening-up is a long-term commitment rather than a short-term policy.
“China remains committed to advancing high-standard openness and helping all sides succeed through greater connectivity,” Xi said in a written speech at the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, last year.
Import Expansion as a Strategic Platform
Chinese officials are translating policy into action. Commerce Minister Wang Wentao announced plans to organize more than 100 import promotion events in 2026, connecting global suppliers with Chinese buyers. The Ministry of Commerce is also promoting initiatives such as “Export to China” to facilitate imports and strengthen market access.
China imported 18.5 trillion yuan ($2.67 trillion) in goods in 2025, making it the world’s second-largest import market for the 17th consecutive year. Imports from over 130 countries and regions recorded growth, while nearly 80 countries regard China as a major export destination.
Analysts note that China’s import strategy increasingly emphasizes quality over quantity. Denis Depoux, global managing director at Roland Berger, said, “The focus is shifting from satisfying demand quantitatively to enriching it qualitatively, using consumption upgrading to drive supply-side innovation and high-quality economic growth.”
Experts from China’s Development Research Center and the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation echoed this view, highlighting opportunities in advanced consumer goods, specialized services and high-tech equipment. They noted that easing export restrictions from Western countries could further boost China’s demand for high-value imports.
Opportunities for Global Businesses
Foreign business leaders are seeing concrete potential. Peter Wilson, UK ambassador to China, said British companies are well positioned to meet the needs of Chinese consumers, with opportunities for two-way trade and practical collaboration.
Oliver Oehms, chief representative of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Beijing, added that foreign firms are increasingly competing directly in the Chinese market, not just exporting. China is now recognized as a critical destination for production, investment, and long-term business engagement.
China’s continued commitment to opening-up is sending a clear signal: the country’s vast market is not only a national advantage but a platform for shared global growth. For foreign companies, this represents both a strategic opportunity and a chance to engage in one of the world’s most dynamic consumer markets.