Nanfang Daily, Nanfang Plus:

The year 2025 marked the final year for implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). Given that China's foreign trade saw fairly rapid growth in 2025, could you give us an overview of China's foreign trade performance during the 14th Five-Year Plan period? Thank you.

Wang Jun:

Thank you. China's import and export performance in 2025 delivered a series of highlights, bringing the 14th Five-Year Plan to a successful conclusion. The 14th Five-Year Plan period was a truly remarkable five years. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, China's foreign trade has withstood the test of a turbulent external environment. Cumulative imports and exports exceeded 200 trillion yuan, a 40% surge from the 13th Five-Year Plan period. Bolstered by its massive trade volume, continuous improvement in product quality, and strong resilience against economic and trade headwinds, China made solid progress in its development as a trader of quality.

First, in terms of volume, China has maintained its position as the world's largest goods trading nation. Over the past five years, China's total import and export value successively crossed the 40 trillion yuan and 45 trillion yuan thresholds, reaching 45.47 trillion yuan in 2025. This represented an increase of 41.1% compared to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 7.1%. China's share of the global import market has remained at around 10%, with cumulative imports exceeding 90 trillion yuan over the past five years. Its share of the global export market has held steady at above 14%. China is expected to maintain its status as the world's largest goods trading nation in 2025.

Second, the quality of China's goods trade has been continuously optimized and upgraded. Foreign trade has become increasingly innovation-driven and environmentally sustainable. Over the past five years, imports and exports of high-tech products have grown at an average annual rate of 7.9%. In 2025, year-on-year growth reached 11.4%, accounting for nearly 60% of overall foreign trade growth. In 2025, the export value of the "new trio" products, namely electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic products, approached 1.3 trillion yuan, a 3.5-fold increase from 2020. New business forms and models are thriving. According to preliminary customs statistics, China's cross-border e-commerce imports and exports totaled 2.75 trillion yuan in 2025, up 69.7% from 2020.

Finally, in terms of resilience, China's capacity to withstand risks and shocks has significantly strengthened. China has firmly upheld the multilateral trading system, opposed unilateralism, and upheld international equity and justice. Over the past five years, China's foreign trade 'circle of partners' has kept expanding, while the path toward trade diversification has kept broadening. The latest international data shows that China has become a major trading partner of more than 160 countries and regions worldwide, an increase of over 20 from 2020. A vast number of foreign trade enterprises have adapted and responded proactively to changes, grown stronger through challenges, and fully demonstrated their indomitable spirit of perseverance and determination. Private enterprises have continued to play a leading role in stabilizing foreign trade, accounting for about 80% of the increase in foreign trade during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Foreign-funded enterprises remain committed to deepening their presence in China with unwavering confidence. In 2025, the number of such enterprises engaged in imports and exports increased by more than 1,700 compared with 2020. The import and export volume of state-owned enterprises has maintained steady growth.

The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has charted a grand blueprint for socioeconomic development over the next five years, laying out important plans for expanding high-level opening-up and creating a new landscape of win-win cooperation. A stable and highly open China will surely inject more stability and positive energy into global economic development. Thank you.