At a Beijing press conference on April 9, Chinese commerce officials said that while foreign trade has faced growing risks and challenges this year, resilient companies and supportive policies have kept imports and exports on track. “Enterprises are stepping up with innovation, and our pro-trade measures are working—China’s foreign trade strength holds firm,” they noted.
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The global economy, they warned, is shaky—especially in trade, where supply chains are under strain. The OECD recently cut its 2025 global growth forecast by 0.2 percentage points to 3.1%, blaming rising trade barriers from “broader trade conflicts.” But there’s a bright spot: The OECD increased its China growth projection by 0.1 percentage points, recognizing the impact of Beijing’s economic policies. This “downgrade for the world, upgrade for China” shows the international community’s faith in China’s economy and future.
Xiao Lu, a trade official, emphasized China’s core strengths: a massive domestic market unlocking potential, plus a steady stream of policies to stabilize the economy and trade. “Our fundamentals—stable, improving, and long-term positive—haven’t changed. We’re confident in handling whatever challenges come our way.”
In 2024, China’s trade hit a big milestone: total imports and exports reached 43 trillion yuan, crossing two “trillion-yuan” thresholds in a row. Its global export share rose to around 14.7%, and nearly 700,000 companies were active in trade—over 80% of them private businesses.
Innovation is a driving force. Smarter, greener, and more digital upgrades have made Chinese products popular worldwide. New trade models like cross-border e-commerce—think “shop global with a click”—are booming, fueling double-digit growth for years by making shopping easier for consumers everywhere.
China is also doubling down on openness. It’s a top trading partner for 150+ countries, has 23 free trade deals with 30 partners, and for the first time, over half of its trade was with Belt and Road nations. “We’ll stick to real multilateralism, protect the global trade system, and work with partners for shared success—adding much-needed stability to foreign trade.” Xiao Lu said.
