Trade with BRI countries hits record high in Q1

China's imports and exports with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries in the first quarter of 2025 reached a new high in the same period in history, with their share of China's total foreign trade continuing to rise, a customs official said in Beijing on Monday.

At a press conference, Lyu Daliang, spokesman for the General Administration of Customs (GAC) and director of its Department of Statistics and Analysis, outlined China's robust trade performance with BRI partner countries in the first quarter.

"In the first quarter of this year, China's imports and exports with BRI partner countries totaled 5.26 trillion yuan (around 720 billion U.S. dollars), up 2.2 percent year on year, a record high in the same period in history. The share in China's overall foreign trade volume rose to 51.1 percent, building on last year's milestone when it first surpassed the 50 percent threshold," Lyu said.

According to the official, significant progress was made in the coordinated development of both major signature projects and "small and beautiful" public welfare projects, stimulating the trade of related products.

Specifically, China deepened industrial cooperation with BRI partner countries. In the first quarter, intermediate goods represented 65.1 percent of China's imports and exports with these countries.

Meanwhile, China continued to expand agricultural cooperation with BRI partner countries. In the first quarter, China's exports of pesticide formulations and agricultural machinery to these countries grew by 15.5 percent and 37.2 percent, respectively. Imports of poultry, and dried and fresh fruits from BRI partner countries to China rose by 32.9 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively.

China has also actively engaged in practical cooperation to improve people's lives with BRI partner countries. In the first quarter, China's exports of pharmaceutical materials and drugs to these countries increased by 14.6 percent, while exports of medical instruments and apparatus grew by 5.1 percent.

In the first quarter, China's exports of rail transportation equipment to these countries increased by 10.7 percent, while exports of electric motors and generators grew by 17.4 percent, and exports of wind generating sets rose by 67.4 percent.

"Currently, the BRI is the most extensive and largest international cooperation platform globally. The partner countries account for over 40 percent of global GDP, over 50 percent of global exports, and their influence and voice in global governance are on the rise. The BRI, as a path of prosperity, opening up, and innovation, has effectively unleashed the development potential of all partner countries, bringing tangible benefits to the development and livelihoods of the people in these countries," Lyu said.

Lyu also detailed the GAC's new measures to further strengthen Belt and Road cooperation.

"This year, the GAC will continue to take the eight major measures to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as a guide, focusing on partner countries, to actively promote a Smart Customs cooperation partnership and deepen the mechanism cooperation with customs inspection and quarantine of partner countries. We will vigorously support projects such as the China-Europe freight trains, the new western land-sea corridor, and the Silk Road Maritime to continuously facilitate customs clearance and security, striving for solid progress in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation," he said.

Trade with BRI countries hits record high in Q1

As Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, draws closer, a festive atmosphere is building on the Aoshanwei market in Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province, attracting large crowds eager to shop for the holiday goods.

Purchasing Chinese New Year items is a cherished tradition among all Chinese people.

Every stall at the market is bustling with residents as sellers expertly pack their goods, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.

"Business is improving every day, with a growing number of customers for Chinese New Year goods," said Song, a retailer specializing in dried fruits.

Residents can find a wide range of goods, including food, antithetical couplets, lanterns and traditional Chinese costumes for kids.

"I saw a lot of delicious food, including marshmallows," said He Zihe, a boy.

This year, the Spring Festival falls on Feb 17, with the official holiday lasting nine days from Feb 15 to 23.

The Aoshanwei open-air market has a history of over 600 years and serves not only residents of Qingdao but also those from neighboring cities.

Market fair in east China city attracts influx of New Year goods purchasers as Spring Festival approaches