Beijing (TDI): China’s foreign trade picked up significantly in the first half of 2025, reaching $3.04 trillion in total imports and exports, according to data released Monday.
That’s a 2.9% increase compared to the same period last year, a sign that the country’s economy is holding up despite a challenging global environment.
The second quarter showed more momentum than the first. Trade grew by 4.5% from a year earlier, noticeably stronger than the 1.3% rise in Q1. It also marked the ninth consecutive quarter where China’s overall trade exceeded 10 trillion yuan, a level that’s becoming something of a benchmark for the country’s foreign trade activity.
In yuan terms, total trade between January and June stood at 21.79 trillion yuan. Exports reached 13 trillion yuan, up 7.2% from a year earlier, while imports slipped 2.7% to 8.79 trillion yuan, according to figures from the General Administration of Customs (GAC).
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Experts say the data are broadly aligned with market expectations and suggest that earlier trade pressures, including those from US tariffs, are beginning to ease.
A key driver of growth has been the country’s export of electro-mechanical products, which jumped 9.5% in the first half and accounted for 60% of total exports. Officials said this trend indicates a strengthening shift toward high-tech and value-added manufacturing.
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Meanwhile, the number of active foreign trade businesses in China hit a new record. Over 628,000 firms engaged in import-export activity in the first six months, an increase of 43,000 compared to the same period last year. It’s the first time the number has exceeded 600,000.
According to customs authorities, these figures reflect broader improvements in the structure of China’s trade. Alongside rising export value, the diversification of markets and products is giving Chinese exporters more flexibility in navigating shifting global demand.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
