According to a report in China Daily on March 6
China is aiming to rebalance its foreign trade this year by expanding imports while maintaining stable exports, a strategy that officials say will help strengthen economic resilience and deepen integration with global markets.
Speaking on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said China plans to make greater use of its vast domestic market by increasing imports of agricultural goods, premium consumer products, advanced technology equipment and key industrial components.
The approach reflects Beijing’s broader effort to position its domestic market as a driver of global demand while supporting its own economic transition toward consumption-led growth.
China’s Market Becoming a Global Demand Center
As the world’s second-largest import market, China continues to offer significant growth opportunities for global exporters, supported by the rapid expansion of its middle-income population.
According to official data, China’s imports reached 18.48 trillion yuan ($2.68 trillion) in 2025, accounting for roughly 10 percent of global imports.
Robert Koopman, former chief economist of the World Trade Organization, said China’s role in the global economy may gradually evolve over the coming decade.
“One important shift will be China becoming a major center of demand for the rest of the world,” he noted.
To facilitate that shift, China launched the “Big Market for All: Export to China” campaign last year, an initiative designed to help international suppliers expand their presence in the Chinese market and bring more high-quality goods and services to Chinese consumers.
Consumption Growth Drives Import Expansion
Economists say the strategy aligns closely with China’s broader push to strengthen domestic consumption as a key engine of economic growth.
As Chinese households seek more diverse products and services, foreign companies are increasingly well positioned to benefit from rising demand.
Marshall Mills, senior resident representative of the International Monetary Fund in China, said the country’s shift toward consumption-led growth could also have wider global implications.
A stronger consumer-driven economy would likely reduce China’s large trade and current-account surpluses over time, helping narrow global trade imbalances and support more sustainable global growth.
Foreign Companies See Expanding Opportunities
Multinational firms continue to view China’s large and evolving market as a major opportunity.
Zhang Ying, managing director of Dassault Systemes Greater China, said the country’s innovation ecosystem and market scale offer significant potential for global businesses.
The French technology company plans to deepen its presence in sectors such as new energy vehicles, smart manufacturing and the emerging low-altitude economy, areas where China is investing heavily.
Stabilizing Exports Amid Global Uncertainty
While expanding imports, Chinese policymakers also emphasize the need to maintain stable export growth amid a challenging global environment.
Wang said China will promote the development of digital trade and green trade, while encouraging exports of artificial intelligence products and renewable energy equipment to create new drivers of foreign trade.
At the same time, China plans to accelerate negotiations on additional free trade agreements in order to expand its network of trading partners.
Despite geopolitical tensions and declining shipments to the United States, China’s exports still grew 6.1 percent year-on-year in 2025, underscoring the resilience of its manufacturing sector and diversified export markets.