China's exports rose 5.5 percent in 2025 to US$3.77 trillion, while imports stayed flat at US$2.58 trillion, yielding a record trade surplus of US$1.19 trillion. The performance beat forecasts despite trade headwinds, fueled by diversification into markets like Asean and Africa. Officials attribute the strong results to supportive policies and the country's industrial depth.
China's exports outperformed expectations in 2025, defying a year of trade tensions as manufacturers diversified markets to offset a sharp drop in shipments to the United States, securing a record annual surplus of US$1.19 trillion.
Customs data released on Wednesday showed exports grew 5.5 per cent year on year to US$3.77 trillion, surpassing the 5 per cent increase projected by financial data provider Wind. Imports for the period held steady at US$2.58 trillion, beating Wind's estimate of a 0.09 per cent decline.
In December alone, outbound shipments increased 6.6 per cent, topping Wind's 2.2 per cent forecast and exceeding November's 5.9 per cent rise. Monthly imports climbed 5.7 per cent year on year, better than the anticipated 0.3 per cent dip and up from November's 1.9 per cent growth.
Wang Jun, vice-minister of the General Administration of Customs, credited the robust export performance amid trade headwinds to supportive policies and China's industrial depth. He noted these elements bolstered resilience through a turbulent period.
The surplus was driven by surging shipments to Asean and Africa, which compensated for losses in the US market. Chinese leaders are emphasizing efforts to stimulate domestic demand to underpin growth prospects into 2026.
