China’s foreign trade remained strong in May, with exports increasing by 6.3 percent year-on-year to 2.28 trillion yuan ($318 billion), as per data released on Monday by the General Administration of Customs.
Despite ongoing uncertainty due to U.S. tariff actions, China’s total goods trade for the first five months of 2025 reached 17.94 trillion yuan ($2.5 trillion), reflecting a 2.5 percent rise from the same period last year.
In May alone, total trade (imports and exports) grew by 2.7 percent year-on-year to 3.81 trillion yuan ($530 billion). Trade with major partners saw a boost, with exports to ASEAN and the EU rising by 16.9 percent and 13.7 percent, respectively.
China’s trade with Africa reached a new high, totaling 963.2 billion yuan (over $134 billion) from January to May, marking a 12.4 percent increase. Exports to the continent surged 20.2 percent, with a notable 35.3 percent rise recorded in May, indicating strong African demand for Chinese products.
Foreign-invested companies played a major role in this growth, making up 29 percent of China’s overall foreign trade. Their import-export volume grew by 2.3 percent in the first five months, with a 4 percent uptick in May alone. Additionally, high-tech exports remained robust, including a 19 percent increase in electric vehicle shipments and a 55.4 percent spike in industrial robot exports.
These trade figures highlight China’s economic strength and adaptability in the face of global challenges, with emerging markets such as those in Asia and Africa becoming increasingly crucial to maintaining trade momentum.
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