China's foreign trade has maintained a steady and positive momentum despite a complex and severe international political and economic landscape since the beginning of this year, said Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
According to He, China's foreign trade in goods amounted to 20.68 trillion yuan (about 2.9 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first five months of this year, up 15.3 percent year on year.
In terms of structure, import potential continued to be unleashed, He said. The scale of China's imports in the first five months of 2026 hit a record high for the same period.
China's export structure continued to improve, He said. Thanks to a complete and efficient industrial and supply chain system, Chinese goods boast stable supply, reliable quality and advanced technology, gaining growing global recognition.
Exports of mechanical and electrical products increased by 18.4 percent year on year in the Jan-May period. Integrated circuit exports performed strongly, while electric vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products continued to lead globally.
From January to May, China's imports and exports with Belt and Road partner countries grew by 13.6 percent, and with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the European Union, Africa and Latin America maintained double-digit growth.
"No matter how complex or changeable the external environment may be, China will unswervingly advance high-standard opening up and take more concrete measures to stabilize exports and expand imports, injecting more stability and positive energy into the world economy," said He.
China's foreign trade maintains steady progress despite global economic headwinds
