China's export rose 6.9% in first quarter of 2025

China's foreign trade showed signs of stabilization in the first quarter of 2025, with total imports and exports reaching 10.3 trillion yuan ($1.41 trillion), according to data released by China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC). The figure represents a 1.3 percent year-on-year increase, with monthly performance revealing a clear recovery trajectory.

Exports demonstrated particular resilience, growing 6.9 percent to 6.13 trillion yuan despite global economic headwinds. 

Acknowledging complex global pressures, "the sky won't fall" for China's export, asserted Lyu Daliang, director of the GAC's Department of Statistics and Analysis in response to a question on the current US created tariff dispute at a press conference on Monday.

Lyu emphasized China's strategic focus on building diversified markets and deepening industrial and supply chain cooperation with global partners. "These efforts not only empower the development of our partners but also reinforce our own economic resilience," Lyu noted, highlighting the nation's vast domestic market as a "crucial strategic asset" to counterbalance external uncertainties. "We remain committed to strengthening our fundamentals – this internal certainty is our best response to global unpredictability."

Chinese goods found expanding markets across more than 170 countries and regions in the first quarter, with advanced manufacturing sectors leading the charge. Shipbuilding and marine engineering equipment exports rose 10.8 percent, while specialized machinery shipments increased 16.2 percent, reflecting China's industrial upgrading toward high-end, intelligent, and green production.

China's leadership in green technology translated into strong overseas demand in the first quarter, with wind turbine exports surging 43.2 percent, lithium batteries growing 18.8 percent, and electric vehicles increasing 8.2 percent, underscoring China's pivotal role in global energy transition efforts.

On the import side, a 6 percent contraction to 4.17 trillion yuan masked divergent trends. Accelerating industrial activity drove increased purchases of machinery components and production equipment, while stable consumer demand boosted imports of selected livelihood goods. This pattern suggests domestic consumption is gradually regaining momentum despite broader import softness.

Private enterprises emerged as a vital growth engine, trading nearly 1 trillion yuan worth of high-tech products – a record high for any first quarter. Regional economic integration continued to strengthen, with ASEAN consolidating its position as China's top trading partner. Bilateral trade grew 7.1 percent to 1.71 trillion yuan, now accounting for 16.6 percent of China's total foreign trade.