CHINA has ranked among the top three trading partners for 157 countries and regions worldwide, said Sun Meijun, head of the General Administration of Customs (GAC), at a press conference on Monday.
Sun 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 Initiative participating countries reached 22 trillion yuan (about $3 trillion), comprising over 50 percent of its total imports and exports, Sun said.
OPENING UP An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 19, 2025, shows a cargo ship at Qingdao Port in Shandong Province. Sun Meijun, head of the General Administration of Customs on Aug. 25 said China has been ranked among the top three trading partners of 157 countries, which is indicative of its commitment to open up its economy to the world. XINHUA PHOTO
The nation’s trade with emerging markets, including Asean, Latin America, Africa and Central Asia, has expanded at an annual pace of more than 10 percent since the beginning of the aforementioned Five-Year Plan period, according to Sun.
China’s new growth drivers — electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar cells — have also gained momentum. Exports of these “new three” export pillars increased 2.6 times their 2020 level in 2024.
Sun emphasized China’s commitment to international cooperation as evidenced by 519 international cooperation documents signed since 2021, which seek foster mutual economic benefits.
Since the launching of the 14th Five-Year Plan, the country has expanded or opened an additional 40 ports of entry, bringing the total number to 311. This is increasing number of ports is an indication China is continuing to open up has helped establish a comprehensive and integrated port network covering land, sea, and air across China’s eastern, central, and western regions.
In terms of imports, China has broadened its sources by granting market access to 271 agricultural and food products from an additional 81 countries and regions, while continuing to diversify imports of bulk commodities, advanced equipment, and key components.
These measures taken underscores China’s commitment to building an open economy, deepening international cooperation, and fostering mutual benefit for all, Sun said. GLOBAL TIMES
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