The two-way trade between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries reached 331.05 billion U.S. dollars, up 8.1 percent from a year earlier in the first four months of 2025, data from China's General Administration of Customs showed.
The figure, comprising nearly 17 percent of China's total foreign trade, indicated that the highly complementary economies of the two parties form a cornerstone of regional cooperation.
The growth was primarily driven by China's exports to ASEAN countries.
In the January-April period, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia were China's top three trading partners in ASEAN.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership - or RCEP, also helped boost trade between China and ASEAN.
In addition, the successful conclusion of negotiations on Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) further marks a significant stride toward regional economic integration.
ASEAN remains China's No. 1 trading parter in 2025
Bilateral relations between China and Seychelles are entering a new phase of expansion, driven by rising trade volumes and growing collaboration in private sector, as well as emerging cooperation in the blue economy and digital innovation.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng is paying a visit to Seychelles and two other African countries of Kenya and South Africa from March 22 to 30.
The year of 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Seychelles.
In 1976, Seychelles became a sovereign nation. China was among the first nations to officially recognize the archipelago country's independence from British rule, marking the beginning of a long friendship that has later transformed the small island state in the Indian Ocean.
"This 50th anniversary will allow us to take stock of what we have achieved in different fields, education, health, infrastructure, economy, culture, environment and other areas," Vincent Meriton, former vice president of Seychelles, said in an interview via video link.
In 2024, at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the relations between the two countries hit a new peak as the ties were officially elevated to a strategic partnership.
Available data showed that bilateral trade between the two countries has maintained a strong momentum, reaching 84 million U.S. dollars in 2024. China mainly exports high-tech products such as smart phones, high-end camera systems, and mechanical and electric products, among others. Seychelles primarily exports seafood.
The future development of the bilateral ties is now turning offshore as both nations are looking toward blue economy. They are working together on sustainable fisheries and protection for the very ocean that feeds Seychelles.
Chinese vice president's visit to Seychelles to further enhance bilateral ties
