BEIJING, Aug 25 – China has cemented its position as a key player in global trade, ranking among the top-three trading partners for 157 different countries and regions worldwide, an official said Monday.
Speaking at a press conference, Sun Meijun, head of the General Administration of Customs, highlighted China’s progress in advancing high-level opening-up and high-quality development of foreign trade during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025).
In 2024, China’s trade with Belt and Road partner countries reached 22 trillion yuan ($3.07 trillion), accounting for more than half of the nation’s total imports and exports. Trade with emerging markets, such as ASEAN, Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia, expanded by more than 10 percent annually, Sun noted.
New growth drivers have also gained momentum. Exports of China’s “new three” export pillars—electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar cells—surged to 2.6 times their 2020 level in 2024.
Meanwhile, China has continued to open up its gateways to the world. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, the country has added or expanded 40 ports of entry, bringing the total number to 311. This has helped establish a comprehensive and integrated port network covering land, sea, and air across China’s eastern, central, and western regions.
On the import side, China has broadened its sources by granting market access to 271 agricultural and food products from 81 additional countries and regions, while further diversifying imports of bulk commodities, advanced equipment, and key components.
These achievements reflect China’s commitment to building an open economy, deepening international cooperation, and fostering mutual benefit, Sun said.
