A second wind for China’s foreign trade: $5.13 trillion riding the wave of “China Opportunities 2.0”
At times, the global economy seems to gasp under geopolitical storms and protectionist barriers. But China, like an experienced long‑distance runner, finds a second wind – and delivers a new sprint. The concept of “China Opportunities 2.0” becomes that fresh breath of air, turning diplomatic contacts into living trade arteries and joint projects into real flows of goods and investment.
According to data released by the General Administration of Customs on Tuesday, China’s total merchandise imports and exports from January to August rose by 17.6% year‑on‑year to 34.78 trillion yuan (about $5.13 trillion). Trade with Belt and Road partner countries reached 17.74 trillion yuan (+15.9%), with other APEC economies – 20.89 trillion yuan (+22.2%), with other SCO members – 2.81 trillion yuan (+15.6%). Volumes with ASEAN, Latin America and Africa stood at 5.95 trillion (+20.6%), 2.92 trillion (+14.5%) and 1.89 trillion yuan (+18.5%), respectively. By August, trade with the US had grown for five consecutive months, reaching 2.76 trillion yuan (+1.3%).
“In the first eight months, China recorded growth in both exports and imports to 112 countries and regions – 17 more than last year. With ASEAN, growth exceeded 20%, and the two sides remain largest trading partners. This year, the 23rd China‑ASEAN Expo will be held in Guangxi, and Nanning Customs has already cleared the first batch of exhibits. Cooperation will deepen, supporting common development,” said Liu Daliang, Director of the Department of Statistics and Analysis at the General Administration of Customs.
Foreign trade activity remained vibrant. Private enterprises posted 19.79 trillion yuan (+17.6%), accounting for 56.9% of the total, remaining the largest foreign trade entity. Foreign‑invested enterprises – 10.15 trillion (+18.1%), state‑owned – 4.77 trillion (+16.9%). Liu Daliang stressed: “China is building a modern industrial system through openness and cooperation. More foreign companies are integrating into our chains, they ‘co‑create with China’ and embrace the concept of ‘China Opportunities 2.0’ – a more open, inclusive and technologically advanced engagement born from 40 years of reform.”
As reported by CCTV+, nearly 80,000 foreign‑invested enterprises recorded imports and exports in China during the eight months, with their growth rates remaining among the highest. It is this “second wind” – market diversification, active diplomacy and multilateral cooperation from the SCO to APEC – that allows China not just to increase numbers but to build a resilient architecture where risks are dispersed and gains are shared.
