China's foreign trade rebounded with vigor in early 2025, reporting a 6.9% year-on-year surge in exports totaling 6.13 trillion yuan ($842 billion) during the first quarter. Total imports and exports reached 10.3 trillion yuan ($1.41 trillion), up 1.3% from the same period last year, according to data released by China's General Administration of Customs (GAC). The figures signal stabilizing momentum after recent global economic turbulence.
Monthly performance revealed a strengthening recovery trajectory, defying external pressures including ongoing trade disputes. Lyu Daliang, director of the GAC's Department of Statistics and Analysis, underscored China's strategic pivot toward market diversification and enhanced supply chain cooperation. "The sky won't fall for China's exports," Lyu asserted during a Monday press conference, pointing to the "strategic asset" of the country's vast domestic market as a buffer against global uncertainties.
Analysts suggest the growth reflects accelerated industrial upgrades and proactive trade policies. "By deepening partnerships across Asia and beyond, China isn't just expanding markets—it's redefining economic interdependence," noted one Shanghai-based trade researcher, speaking anonymously due to media protocols. While challenges persist, including rising protectionism, the quarterly data reinforces Beijing's narrative of \u0022internal certainty\u0022 through structural reforms.
