China's exports grow 6.3% in May as trade with Africa sees big jump

China's foreign trade showed resilience in May, with exports rising 6.3 percent year-on-year to 2.28 trillion yuan ($318 billion), according to data released Monday by the General Administration of Customs.

Despite uncertainties from US tariff policies, China's total goods trade reached 17.94 trillion yuan ($2.5 trillion) in the first five months of 2025, up 2.5 percent from a year earlier.

In May alone, imports and exports grew 2.7 percent to 3.81 trillion yuan ($530 billion). Trade with key partners surged, with exports to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) jumping 16.9 percent and 13.7 percent, respectively.

Notably, China-Africa trade hit a record high, totaling 963.2 billion yuan (over $134 billion) in the January-May period, up 12.4 percent. Exports to Africa soared 20.2 percent, with May alone witnessing a 35.3 percent jump, underscoring strong demand for Chinese goods.

Foreign-invested enterprises contributed significantly, accounting for 29 percent of China's total foreign trade. Their imports and exports rose 2.3 percent in the first five months, with May seeing a 4 percent increase. Meanwhile, exports of high-tech manufactured goods remained robust, with electric vehicle shipments up 19 percent and industrial robot exports surging 55.4 percent.

The foreign trade data reflects China's economic resilience amid global trade pressures, with emerging markets like Asia and Africa playing an increasingly vital role in sustaining growth.