China's total goods imports and exports in September reached a new monthly high of this year, with the trade volume amounting to 3.74 trillion yuan, official data showed on Friday.

Foreign trade remains stable and positive

In the first three quarters of the year, China's imports and exports amounted to 30.8 trillion yuan, or $ 4.4 trillion dollars, slightly down by 0.2 percent year on year, according to data released by China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) on Friday.

Exports were 17.6 trillion yuan in the first nine months, up 0.6 percent year on year, while imports were 13.2 trillion yuan, down 1.2 percent year on year.

Despite a complex external environment, foreign trade has remained stable and positive, said Lyu Daliang, director of the Statistics and Analysis Department of the GAC.

The trade volume signifies a more solid foundation and stronger support for China's foreign exports and imports, said Liu Qing, vice dean of the National Development and Strategic Research Institute at Renmin University of China. It demonstrates the robustness and comprehensive competitiveness of the country's foreign trade, Liu added.

BRI brings mutual benefit and deepens global cooperation

China's imports and exports with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) participating countries in the first three quarters of this year increased by 3.1 percent year on year, accounting for 46.5 percent of the total trade volume.

In the same period, China's trade with its largest trading partner, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), reached 4.68 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 0.8 percent and accounting for 15.2 percent of the total trade volume. Trade with emerging markets in Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America increased by 33.7 percent, 6.7 percent, and 5.1 percent, respectively, all exceeding the overall foreign trade growth rate of China.

The level of open cooperation and mutual benefits between China and BRI participating countries continues to deepen, Liu added. 

Liu believes that China's vast market and well-developed industrial chains provide extensive growth opportunities and robust industrial support for the economic development of the BRI participating countries.