BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- In a remarkable display of economic resilience and strategic foresight, China's foreign trade reached unprecedented heights in 2024. As the world's second-largest economy, China has further cemented its status as a global leader in goods trade, with total goods imports and exports reaching 43.85 trillion yuan (approximately 6.1 trillion U.S. dollars).

This figure represents a robust 5 percent increase year-on-year, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC).

Export activities contributed significantly to this achievement, with a 7.1 percent surge, amounting to 25.45 trillion yuan.

Imports, meanwhile, expanded by 2.3 percent year-on-year to reach 18.39 trillion yuan.

At a press conference in Beijing, Wang Lingjun, the GAC deputy head, highlighted China's rapid foreign trade growth among major global economies, culminating in a record high for December's trade figures, which exceeded 4 trillion yuan.

In 2024, China's international trade accounted for 14.5 percent of global exports and 10.5 percent of global imports, further solidifying its position as the world's biggest goods trader.

These achievements are attributed to a series of proactive policies from Chinese authorities aimed at stabilizing foreign trade.

The central government introduced 16 key measures to enhance the business environment at ports, streamlining customs clearance processes for enterprises.

Efforts to promote cross-border trade facilitation were also evident in 20 cities nationwide, establishing a commercially competitive and legally compliant port business environment.

An examination of the structural composition of this trade reveals a notable increase in high-tech products and a diversification of trade avenues, including cross-border e-commerce, which amassed a total value of 2.63 trillion yuan in 2024. Machinery exports grew by 8.7 percent, making up 59.4 percent of total exports, while exports of electric vehicles, 3D printers, and industrial robots also saw significant growth.

Green trade emerged as a focal point in 2024, with substantial contributions from China's exports of wind and solar equipment, railway electric locomotives, and electric vehicles, underscoring the nation's commitment to a green and low-carbon transition.

On the import front, China's activities supported the economic advancement of its trade partners.

There was a marked increase in the importation of electronic components, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and various consumer goods.

Despite a more modest growth rate in imports, affected by falling prices of key commodities, China's import market remained robust.

Lyu Daliang, director of GAC’s Department of Statistics and Analysis, noted that the implementation of zero tariff treatment on imports from the least developed countries significantly boosted import figures from these regions, demonstrating China's intent to share its growing market opportunities globally.

China's expanding network of international trade partnerships further bolstered foreign trade activities, with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative accounting for over half of China's total foreign trade value in 2024. This integration facilitated a 2.7 percent increase in imports from these countries, accounting for over half of China's total import value.

Partnerships with regional bodies like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were also strengthened, maintaining China and ASEAN as each other's largest trading partners for the fifth consecutive year.

Trade engagements with BRICS nations, Latin America, Africa, Central Asia, and Central and Eastern Europe also saw positive trends.

Traditional markets such as the EU and the United States remained integral to China's trade activities, maintaining growth in foreign trade relations.

With these strategies and partnerships in place, international organizations predict a continuation of this upward trajectory in global goods trade for the near future.