According to China Daily, February 12, 2026
China’s foreign trade showed remarkable resilience in 2025, reaching a record high despite a challenging global economic environment. Total imports and exports surpassed 45 trillion yuan ($6.2 trillion), up 3.8 percent from the previous year, marking the ninth consecutive year of growth.
Officials from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the General Administration of Customs (GAC) highlighted that the trade sector is not only expanding in size but also optimizing its structure, moving toward higher value-added and innovative products.
Rising Tech Exports
High-tech exports totaled 5.25 trillion yuan in 2025, an increase of 13.2 percent year-on-year, signaling China’s shift up the global value chain. The automotive sector, particularly new energy vehicles (NEVs), exemplifies this trend. Exports of NEVs reached 3.43 million units, a 70 percent increase from 2024, accounting for 41 percent of total auto exports. This surge underscores China’s position as the world’s largest auto exporter and reflects growing global demand for intelligent, high-quality Chinese products.
Policy Support and Strategic Planning
Experts attribute this stability to timely government interventions and long-term planning. In the second quarter of 2025, facing external headwinds, Chinese authorities introduced measures to stabilize foreign trade. Policies promoting high-quality development and the creation of a unified national market helped maintain growth momentum.
Port Efficiency as a Competitive Advantage
Beyond policy, the efficiency of Chinese ports has become a key factor in sustaining trade competitiveness. At Guangzhou Port’s Nansha Automobile Terminal, major improvements in infrastructure and procedures now allow ships to dock, load, and depart with minimal delays. A “one-stop” service station and smart clearance systems streamline customs, inspection, and logistics processes, ensuring faster, more reliable export operations.
These innovations extend beyond individual ports. Reforms such as the “One Port Pass” integrate logistics across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, enabling inland cargo to clear customs and reach international markets efficiently.
Global Implications
With high-tech and green energy sectors driving export growth, optimized logistics networks, and a robust policy framework, China’s foreign trade is not just recovering but evolving. For global businesses and investors, these developments highlight opportunities in sectors ranging from NEVs and electronics to high-tech equipment and advanced manufacturing.
As 2026 unfolds, China’s trade sector is poised to continue supporting global supply chains while delivering high-quality products to international markets.