China's 2025 Goods Trade Rises 3.8% to RMB45.47 Trillion; Services Break RMB8 Trillion; 2026 H1 Up 16.9%
China's goods trade totalled RMB45.47 trillion in 2025, up 3.8% year on year, keeping the country the world's largest goods trader. Services trade surpassed RMB8 trillion for the first time, rising 7.4% to RMB8.08 trillion. In the first half of 2026, goods trade grew 16.9% to RMB25.47 trillion. New foreign-invested enterprises increased 19.1% to 70,392, with high-tech industries taking 32.3% of actual foreign investment. Outbound direct investment rose 7.4% to about RMB1.25 trillion.
In 2025, China's total goods trade import and export value reached RMB45.47 trillion, up 3.8% year on year, maintaining its position as the world's largest goods trader. Services trade totalled RMB8.08 trillion, up 7.4%, surpassing RMB8 trillion for the first time. In the first half of 2026, goods trade reached RMB25.47 trillion, up 16.9% year on year.
In 2025, 70,392 new foreign-invested enterprises were established nationwide, up 19.1% year on year. Actual foreign investment in high-tech industries reached RMB241.77 billion, accounting for 32.3% of the national total. In the same year, China's outbound direct investment across all industries was approximately RMB1.25 trillion, up 7.4%.
As of January 2026, China had signed 24 free trade agreements with 31 countries and regions, with FTA partners spanning five continents. In 2025, goods trade with countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative reached RMB23.6 trillion, up 6.3%, accounting for 51.9% of China's total foreign trade.
China currently has 23 pilot free trade zones. Qualified zones such as Shanghai and the Hainan Free Trade Port have proactively aligned with high-standard economic and trade rules including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, cumulatively launching over 110 pilot measures in two batches, covering key areas such as trade, investment, intellectual property, government procurement, and environmental protection.
In 2025, China's high-tech product exports reached RMB5.25 trillion, accounting for 19.5% of total exports. New business forms such as services trade and digital trade continued to develop, while new models including cross-border e-commerce and bonded maintenance continued to expand.