At a press conference held on the morning of January 13, Wang Lingjun, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Customs, announced that in 2024, the share of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries in China’s total trade volume exceeded 50% for the first time. Last year, China’s trade with these countries grew by 6.4%, accounting for 50.3% of its total foreign trade. Exports increased by 9.6%, while imports rose by 2.7%.
Wang emphasized that China advocates inclusive globalization and has established itself as a major trade partner for over 150 countries and regions worldwide. The Belt and Road Initiative has effectively aligned Chinese manufacturing with the production and consumption needs of participating countries. At the same time, high-quality goods from these nations are entering the Chinese market. Notably, the number of China-Europe freight trains surpassed 100,000 in 2024, marking a significant milestone for this modern Silk Road corridor.
Beyond BRI countries, China also achieved remarkable growth in trade with emerging markets such as ASEAN, Africa, and Central Asia. Trade with ASEAN countries has been steadily growing for nine consecutive years, with an increase of 7.2% in 2024. Meanwhile, traditional markets such as the European Union and the United States maintained positive momentum. Trade with the EU grew by 1.6%, while trade with the US increased by 4.9%. These developments highlight China’s growing influence in global trade and its commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
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