China's foreign trade up 15.3% to 20.68 trillion yuan in first five months: three consecutive months above 4 trillion

ASEAN (+16.6%), EU (+10.3%), Africa (+18.2%), and Belt and Road partners (+13.6%) — the geography is expanding. Since May 1, zero tariffs for all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties, and trade with Africa exceeded 1 trillion yuan for January–May for the first time.

As reported by CCTV+, according to official data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC), China's foreign trade in goods for the first five months of the year reached 20.68 trillion yuan (about 2.9 trillion US dollars), a year on year increase of 15.3%, maintaining a steady growth trend.

From January to May, trade with ASEAN grew 16.6%, with the European Union 10.3%, and with Africa 18.2%. Imports and exports with Belt and Road partner countries reached 10.57 trillion yuan (1.56 trillion dollars), up 13.6% year on year.

In May alone, total goods trade stood at 4.45 trillion yuan (656.7 billion dollars), a 16.9% annual increase. Exports rose 13.8% year on year, while imports surged 21.5%.

Liu Daliang, director of the GAC Statistics and Analysis Department, said: "Since the beginning of this year, China has actively deepened practical cooperation with global trade and economic partners. As of the end of May, monthly import and export volume exceeded four trillion yuan for three consecutive months."

Since May 1, China has implemented an expanded zero tariff regime for imports from all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. Over five months, trade with Africa reached 1.14 trillion yuan (168.2 billion dollars), an 18.2% increase — the first time the January–May figure exceeded one trillion yuan. In May alone, imports from Africa stood at 95.13 billion yuan (14 billion dollars), up 15% year on year, marking the ninth consecutive month of growth.

China's trade with other APEC economies over the first five months totaled 12.31 trillion yuan (1.81 trillion dollars), up 17.4%, accounting for nearly 60% of China's total foreign trade — reflecting stable and solid economic cooperation in the Asia Pacific region.

Numbers are never just dry statistics. Behind every percentage point are containers, ships, negotiations, and contracts. When China keeps monthly trade above 4 trillion yuan for three months in a row, it means global supply chains trust this rhythm. And when zero tariffs open doors for 53 African countries, trade ceases to be merely an exchange of goods. It becomes a bridge of mutual development.