A New Picture of China’s Foreign Trade: From Scale Expansion to Structural Upgrade
A close look at China’s export commodity list reveals that the country’s foreign trade is quietly rewriting its script. According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China’s total goods trade reached RMB 45.47 trillion in 2025, with exports totaling RMB 26.99 trillion. While the overall scale surpassed the RMB 45 trillion mark for the first time, the more meaningful change lies in the structure. China’s exports are shifting from “selling more” to “selling better.” Mechanical and electrical products now account for 61 percent of total exports, with integrated circuits, automobiles, ships, transformers, and drones emerging as global bestsellers. This reflects China’s growing strength in industrial chains and system-level manufacturing capabilities. Meanwhile, exports of the so-called “new three” — electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products — approached RMB 1.3 trillion. Although some segments are seeing price pressures despite rising volumes, competition is clearly moving from speed to technology, branding, and pricing power. High-tech and green products have become key growth drivers. In 2025, exports of high-tech products rose by 13.2 percent year on year. Wind power equipment, photovoltaics, and energy storage products are expanding rapidly overseas, highlighting how industrial upgrading is being translated into trade performance. At the...
