Nigeria Times

By Gu Zhongyang, Chen Juan, People’s Daily

How many trees grow across China? 

The latest data from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration show that the country’s total forest area now spans 240 million hectares. 

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China completed afforestation covering 12.3 million hectares, recording the world’s fastest and largest expansion of greening.

A 2025 research outcome released by a team led by Guo Qinghua at Peking University estimated that, as of 2020, China had approximately 142.6 billion trees — equivalent to about 100 trees per person. Using drones, LiDAR technology, and algorithmic models, the team surveyed more than 76,000 sample plots, completing the country’s first nationwide tree-count assessment.

The figure of “100 trees per person” makes China’s green assets more concrete and its ecological progress easier to grasp. These gains stem from both strengthened protection and sustained afforestation.

Over the past five years, China has carried out standardized protection for approximately 5.08 million ancient and notable trees, while effectively conserving 172 million hectares of natural forest resources. Since 2012, cumulative afforestaton has exceeded 73 million hectares, accounting for roughly 1/4 of the world’s newly added green area.

Following an integrated approach to conserving mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grasslands, and deserts, China has implemented a series of major ecological programs. Among them, the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program has achieved a cumulative afforested and preserved area of 32 million hectares — about half the size of the Loess Plateau.

These achievements highlight the governance capacity underpinning China’s ecological transition. 

In Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang autonomous region, at an average altitude of 4,500 meters and once known as “the only city in China without trees,” cold-, wind-, and UV-resistant species such as spruce have been introduced during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. With patented technologies overcoming high-altitude planting challenges, trees and forests are now taking roots across the city.

China’s approach to greening prioritizes expanding tree cover, improving forest quality, and strengthening long-term management. National land greening efforts are being advanced in a coordinated manner — increasing green coverage, fostering green development, and safeguarding green resources. Guided by the principle of aligning afforestation with local water availability and ecological conditions, China has pursued a scientific, ecological, and cost-effective path to greening.

The idea that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” has gained broad social acceptance. In 2025, the total output value of China’s forestry and grassland industries approached 11 trillion yuan ($1.6 trillion), supporting employment and income growth for more than 60 million people. More than 1.7 million forest rangers now safeguard these ecosystems.

According to the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, China recorded an average annual net increase of 1.69 million hectares of forest area between 2015 and 2025 — the highest in the world.

Looking ahead, China’s recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) call for well-planned, large-scale greening programs. The country aims to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and increase total forest stock volume to over 24 billion cubic meters by 2035. Anchored in the goal of building a beautiful China, it pledges to remain a steadfast participant and a major contributor to global green development.

By Wang Zheng, People’s Daily

Stepping into a plant operated by Chinese automaker BYD in Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone, Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province, visitors are greeted by a striking sight: a “steel forest” of nearly 1,000 industrial robots moving in precise synchronization.

Powered by a self-developed digital infrastructure and an AI-enabled visual system, the facility achieves stamping precision of 1.8 microns and 100 percent automation in welding.

The outcome is impressive: a new vehicle rolls off the line every 51 seconds.

This facility exemplifies the speed and technological sophistication underpinning China’s automotive sector. A potent combination of efficient smart manufacturing, a robust domestic supply chain, rapid technological advancements, and the steady introduction of competitive new models — supported by favorable policies — has consistently driven domestic demand and sustained sales growth.

The statistics confirm this momentum: China’s automobile production and sales each exceeded 30 million units for the third consecutive year, securing the country’s position as the global leader for an unprecedented 17th straight year. 

This robust performance highlights the resilience of the Chinese economy and its ongoing shift towards higher-quality, innovation-driven growth, even amidst significant external pressures and domestic challenges.

The push for innovation extends to extreme conditions. On the morning of Dec. 23, 2025, as temperatures dropped to minus 28 degrees Celsius in Mohe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province. Zhang Luchao, a system control engineer at a research institute of Chinese automaker Geely, set out on a 10-kilometer city driving test.

Starting a Geely Galaxy Starship 7 left overnight, he evaluated its AI-powered energy management system. According to Zhang, the system learns from user behavior and determines whether to warm up the battery pack based on factors such as departure time, indoor and outdoor temperatures, weather conditions, and remaining charge–cutting thermal management energy use by up to 30 percent.

In 2025, the average driving range of pure electric passenger vehicles in China approached 500 kilometers. Meanwhile, key technologies — including 800-volt high-voltage silicon carbide platforms and fast-charging systems capable of delivering an 80 percent charge in 15 minutes — have entered large-scale application.

Solid-state batteries have moved into small-batch trial production, targeting mass production by 2027. Innovation across multiple energy pathways — electric, hybrid, hydrogen, and synthetic fuels — advanced concurrently. China’s “super hybrid” technology, integrating various power modes, gained widespread domestic adoption and began exporting to international automakers.

As electrification advances, concerns over charging and range are steadily easing, a trend that keeps advancing the replacement of traditional fuel vehicles with new energy vehicles(NEVs). In 2025, China produced 16.626 million and sold 16.49 million NEVs, up 29 percent and 28.2 percent year on year, respectively. NEVs accounted for 47.9 percent of total new car sales.

Exports are also gaining momentum. China exported 2.615 million NEVs in 2025, doubling from the previous year. Passenger vehicle exports doubled from a year ago to 2.532 million units, while commercial vehicle exports reached 83,000 units, up 86.8 percent year on year.

At the same time, autonomous driving is moving rapidly from testing to large-scale deployment, emerging as one of the earliest commercial applications of embodied intelligence. More than 60 percent of new passenger vehicles sold in China now come equipped with Level-2 advanced driver assistance systems. 

On Dec. 15, 2025, two models developed by Chinese automakers Changan and BAIC received China’s first permits for Level-3 autonomous driving, making the two companies the first in the country authorized to test Level-3conditionally autonomous vehicles on public roads.

Regulatory measures have also helped stabilize the market. Since last year, authorities have moved to curb excessive price competition, tighten product consistency inspections, and step up enforcement against unfair practices. 

These efforts are gradually addressing issues such as disorderly price wars and declining profitability. From January to November 2025, profits in the auto sector rose by 7.5 percent year on year, 3.1 percentage points higher than the January-October figure.

As the industry shifts away from resource-intensive, low-price competition toward innovation and value upgrading, mainstream automakers are ramping up efforts to deliver high-quality offerings.

In 2025, a range of flagship models embodying the core technological strengths of major brands gained strong market traction. Among them, the Maextro S800 under the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance captured around 50 percent of sales in the million-yuan ($145,262) luxury car segment. Meanwhile, the Aito M9, M8, and M7 topped the sales charts in the 500,000-yuan, 400,000-yuan, and 300,000-yuan SUV segments, respectively. The Voyah Dream continued to lead monthly sales in the high-end MPV category, with its average selling price exceeding 400,000 yuan.

Across these segments, domestic premium new energy vehicle brands–exemplified by Aito, Li Auto, Zeekr, Voyah, and Xiaomi — recorded combined sales growth of over 40 percent year on year in 2025.

According to Chen Shihua, deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the sector is expected to maintain steady performance in 2026, supported by the smooth continuation of policies promoting large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-ins, as China’s accelerates its shift toward high-quality development.

By People’s Daily reporters

“Bring an extra suitcase to China.” 

“Must-buy lists for ‘Shopping in China.'”

“A practical guide to tax refunds.” 

Posts tagged “Shopping in China” are going viral on overseas social media, highlighting a surge in shopping enthusiasm among inbound travelers.

Data from China’s State Taxation Administration shows that in 2025, the number of overseas visitors claiming tax refunds surged 305 percent year on year, while sales of eligible goods jumped 95.9 percent and total refunds rose 95.8 percent.

The shift from “China Travel” to “Shopping in China” signifies more than just changing visitor habits. These practical shopping guides, widely shared online, point to deeper transformations in China’s tourism market, as increasingly diverse consumption scenarios are reshaping foreign visitors’ itineraries.

At a digital products store on Beijing’s bustling Wangfujing pedestrian street, an Italian tourist named Luca was browsing smart bands from a Chinese brand, asking about differences between models and phone compatibility. 

After testing various features with help from a sales assistant, he purchased four units — one for his wife, an avid morning runner; two for his parents, who could use the health-monitoring functions; and one for his child, who would stand out at school with the stylish gadget.

Ahead of his trip to China, Luca said friends back home had already asked him to bring back items such as Bluetooth earphones and portable chargers.

As Chinese tech products sweep the globe, foreign tourists’ shopping lists are expanding beyond traditional souvenirs to include high-tech products. Foldable smartphones, AI goggles, and drones are increasingly finding their way into their shopping carts.

Huaqiangbei electronics market in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province, often dubbed China’s top electronics hub, has become a must-visit destination. 

At major markets such as Huaqiang Electronics World and SEG E-Market, foreign visitors carrying large bags or even rolling suitcases stand out in the crowd. 

“People used to think of Chinese specialties as tea or panda-themed souvenirs, but now these tech-driven smart products are the new ‘must-buys,'” said an Egyptian tourist, his shopping bags filled after a busy morning.

Yiwu in east China’s Zhejiang province, known as the “world’s supermarket,” offers a one-stop shopping experience, from nail clippers and phone cases to smart home appliances and drones, making it another key stop for foreign visitors. 

A Russian tourist named Anna purchased a portable smart translator capable of real-time translation in over 100 languages for her son. “Yiwu defies expectations. It’s not just a wholesale market for cheap goods; it feels more like a ‘laboratory for future living,'” she said.

Beyond the appeal of quality and innovation in Chinese manufacturing, many foreign visitors are also captivated by Chinese aesthetics.

The Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum has launched a refrigerator magnet inspired by the caisson in the Heavenly Palace of Longfu Temple. Chengdu’s Kuanzhai Alley, a premier historical and cultural district, incorporates panda elements into its souvenirs. “Rong Momo,” a stuffed toy modeled on roujiamo, a well-known street food from Xi’an in northwest China’s Shaanxi province, is popular among tourists.

Culturally distinctive keepsakes have grown increasingly popular among foreign tourists in recent years. These locally designed products offer an accessible glimpse into Chinese aesthetics and cultural sensibilities.

As policies facilitating inbound tourism continue to improve, services across visa processing, border clearance, international transport, and payment have become more convenient. At the same time, immersive consumption experiences are emerging as a new highlight of “Shopping in China.”

On Guozijian Street in Beijing’s Dongcheng district, a Canadian tourist named Lillian donned traditional Chinese attire for her first travel photoshoot. “These are some of the best photos of my life,” she shared. From choosing costumes and makeup to learning traditional poses and etiquette, this experience sparked in her a strong fascination with traditional Chinese culture.

At a tax refund counter on Shanghai’s Madang Road No. 159, foreign visitors queued to complete refund procedures. Asked about their “Shopping in China” experience, many responded with a thumbs-up, describing it as “affordable, convenient, and a great overall experience.”

As the potential of “Shopping in China” continues to unfold, cities and regions across the country are moving quickly to seize the momnet. By rolling out tailored policies and incentives, they aim to build a more internationalized consumption environment where foreign visitors can travel with ease and shop with greater value.

By the end of November 2025, China had 12,252 departure tax refund stores nationwide, including 9,151 newly added that year. More than 7,000 stores now offer instant refund services, with coverage continuing to expand to better meet the needs of overseas travelers.

By Bai Jianfeng, People’s Daily

China’s expanding visa-free policies, including a 240-hour transit visa exemption, are attracting more international visitors. Among them, a growing number are travelling specifically for medical treatment, sharing their positive experiences globally on social media.

This marks a significant shift. Years ago, Chinese patients often sought advanced care in Europe and North America. Today, a “reverse medical tourism” trend is bringing international patients to China, driven primarily by the exceptional value proposition: high-quality healthcare at accessible prices. 

This trend reflects the growing strength of China’s medical system. International patients consistently report that obtaining care in China is “neither difficult nor expensive,” highlighting efficiency, affordability, and quality as key advantages.

Efficiency: Many foreign patients express astonishment at the speed of care. Where wait times for specialists, diagnostics, or surgery can stretch to months in their home countries, China’s system often enables registration, testing, and even surgery within days. This efficiency is born from serving a vast population. Doctors in major hospitals routinely see high volumes of patients — sometimes 60-70 daily — often sacrificing personal breaks to minimize delays. In 2024 alone, Chinese healthcare institutions managed 10.15 billion patient visits, with an average hospital stay of 8.6 days, underscoring the system’s capacity and the dedication of its medical professionals.

Affordability: International patients consistently find that costs in Chinese public hospitals, even when paid entirely out-of-pocket, are significantly lower than comparable care abroad. This affordability stems from government-regulated pricing for many services and substantial public investment in medical equipment, often resulting in fees below operational cost. Health authorities also strictly control per-visit expenses to prevent overtreatment; in 2024, the average hospital stay cost was 9,870 yuan ($1,428), while an average outpatient visit was 361 yuan. Furthermore, national bulk-buying programs for pharmaceuticals and medical devices, alongside negotiations for drug inclusion in insurance schemes, have dramatically reduced prices, maximizing patient savings.

Quality: China’s overall medical technology and care standards are now comparable to those in developed Western nations. The integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with Western medicine provides unique strengths, particularly in managing chronic conditions. Chinese physicians are globally recognized leaders in treating complex and critical illnesses, achieving world-leading results in certain fields. International assessments, such as The Lancet’s rankings on healthcare quality and access, consistently place China highly. The rapid advancement of “AI + healthcare” applications is further elevating the standard of care nationwide.

Healthcare is a key indicator of a country’s overall strength. Over the years, China has steadily increased its investment in the sector. In 2024, total health expenditure accounted for 6.7 percent of China’s GDP, with government and social spending making up 72.5 percent and out-of-pocket spending accounting for 27.5 percent. This commitment underpins the system’s growing appeal to international patients seeking effective, efficient, and affordable care.

China has pursued a health-first development strategy, upheld the public welfare nature of basic healthcare services, and built the world’s largest systems for medical services, traditional medicine, disease prevention and control, and medical insurance. 

In 2024, life expectancy in China reached 79 years, with major health indicators ranking among the leading levels for middle- and high-income countries.

With its strong reputation and growing credibility, China’s healthcare system is becoming a trusted and increasingly sought-after choice for patients around the world.

Looking ahead, experts suggest that China should further enhance its international medical service system — centered on the international departments of public hospitals and high-quality private health care providers while promoting globally aligned hospital accreditation standards with Chinese characteristics. 

Efforts should also include establishing a more rational and competitive pricing framework for international patients and accelerating integration with global commercial health insurance systems. These steps would help make China a more accessible and attractive destination for medical travelers worldwide.

China is well positioned to become a global destination for health care, enabling people around the world to experience not only the efficiency but also the human warmth of its medical services.

By Shao Yuzi, People’s Daily

In Cangxian county, Cangzhou, north China’s Hebei province, the humble jujube (red date) is undergoing a remarkable transformation, powered by big data and artificial intelligence. This region, renowned for its prized Jinsi (Golden Thread) jujube cultivated for over 3,000 years, is leveraging technology to innovate and revitalize its signature industry.

With vast orchards covering approximately 12,733 hectares and a major trading hub, Cangxian’s jujube sector is embracing digital tools. Local enterprises are utilizing big data analytics and AI to drive cross-sector innovation, leading to a surge in popular new products.

Beyond traditional sun-dried jujubes, producers now offer a diverse range including creamy stuffed dates favored by younger consumers and health-focused varieties infused with ingredients like codonopsis.

“Each year, we sift through 10,000 product ideas to create 1,000 samples. From those, 100 make it to trial sales, and based on real feedback, just 10 go into mass production,” said Wang Yunfei, general manager of Cangzhou-based jujube company Meizaowang, speaking at the company’s exhibition hall. Behind him, shelves overflowed with an array of jujube-based snacks and nut products.

Where do so many ideas come from? “Building on our existing research and development (R&D) system, we use a Recipe Engine powered by big data to generate creative concepts,” Wang explained. 

In 2023, he conceived the idea of integrating food product R&D with artificial intelligence. That same year, he partnered with a team from Fudan University to jointly develop the Recipe Engine.

“With the help of this big data model, a product concept can be generated in just 30 seconds,” Wang said. The system aggregates data on production processes, ingredient properties, formulations, and market demand, forming a multidimensional knowledge graph covering food technology, raw materials, and market trends. 

By dynamically analyzing content from e-commerce platforms, content-sharing platforms, and industry information websites, it can automatically generate new product ideas.

“The system can not only generate ideas on its own but also design products based on specific requirements.” Wang demonstrated by inputting a request: “Create a healthy snack featuring jujube, ginseng, longan, and goji berries as main ingredients.” Within moments, the system produced two product concepts, complete with ingredient ratios, product renderings, process parameters, packaging suggestions, and cost estimates.

“The Recipe Engine has transformed our traditional R&D model, shifting us from experience-driven to data-driven innovation, and significantly improving efficiency,” Wang noted. Since its adoption, the company’s product range has expanded from eight varieties to more than 50, with sales continuing to rise.

Beyond enriching product categories, big data is also helping companies refine their production and operations.

At the digital operations center of food company Huaju in Cangzhou, a large screen displays real-time sales dynamics across the company’s product lines. Order distribution heat maps, product sales rankings, shipping progress bars, and channel share analyses are all clearly visible.

“These visualized data serve as the ‘brain’ guiding our production and operations,” said Sun Zehui, chairman of Huaju. Leveraging the digital platform, the company has not only built an e-commerce sales network but also optimized its production structure. 

“Over the past two years, based on market data analysis, we have phased out dozens of products with low sales and weak returns,” Sun said, adding that the freed-up capacity has been redirected toward developing new products.

Data has also helped forge a collaborative industrial ecosystem. According to Sun, by enabling resource sharing through the digital platform, the company has integrated logistics, warehousing, and wholesale market resources, driving the coordinated development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

“We are actively advancing the development of a jujube industry cluster, promoting the optimization and upgrading of the entire industrial chain, and encouraging enterprises to use digital tools to diversify products, improve quality, and build stronger brands,” said Cai Yong, director of the Cangxian bureau of science, industry, information technology and commerce.

Today, Cangxian is home to more than 3,000 enterprises engaged in jujube processing and sales, with an annual deep-processing volume of around 300,000 tons.

By Wang Xinyue, People’s Daily

At 9 a.m., a gym for seniors at the activity center of Lijia community in Liangjiang New Area, southwest China’s Chongqing municipality, came alive. Wan Ming, 85, walked in, fastened a real-time heart rate monitoring armband and headed for a smart vertical vibration therapy chair.

There was no blasting music or crowds of young gym-goers. Soft lighting, non-slip flooring, barrier-free access, handrails and emergency stop buttons created a calm and reassuring environment at the city’s first gym designed exclusively for senior citizens.

A regular visitor since the trial opening, Wan said treadmills in conventional gyms are often difficult for seniors to use and carry a higher risk of falls. “The equipment here is made specifically for seniors, he added.”

His experience reflects the concerns of many older residents who find standard fitness facilities unsuitable. 

“I feel my coordination has improved,” Wan said. He used to to exercise at home by follow workout videos at home, but now comes to the gym every day. He added that the fees are kept affordably low.

Since its soft launch, the gym has received more than 20 senior visiotrs per day on average, with peak attendance exceeding 40, according to Ma Liya, the facility’s operations manager. Some seniors even travel by bus specifically to work out there.

Ma noted that before becoming members, older adults undergo physical assessments and surveys covering exercise habits, health conditions, and lifestyles. Based on the results, customized health profiles and targeted exercise plans are developed. Ma highlighted adaptations like dual-height handrails and reduced-speed treadmills, contrasting them with standard models challenging for seniors to operate.

The facility also features an intelligent full-body recumbent trainer with coordinated arm-leg movement, allowing even hemiplegic users to exercise effectively. Another device, a passive hand exerciser, is designed for seniors with reduced finger mobility after stroke, using passive oscillation to stimulate blood circulation.

Safety protocols include continuous heart rate monitoring via armbands linked to a central display, triggering alerts if thresholds are exceeded. Pre-workout blood pressure and heart rate checks are mandatory.

“The core mission is straightforward: provide seniors a dedicated space to exercise safely and effectively,” said Xin Lin, publicity chief of Lijia community.

Beyond fitness, the gym has also become a social space. After exercising, seniors often stay for tea, health lectures, and cultural activities, Xin added.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

The recently concluded Spring Festival holiday offered more than just festive cheer. Record-breaking figures — including over 2.6 billion inter-regional trips, a surge of foreign visitors experiencing the Chinese New Year, and a Spring Festival box office exceeding 5.5 billion yuan (about $700 million) — provide a revealing snapshot of China’s economic resilience, innovative vitality, and cultural appeal. 

This lively celebration, linking past traditions with the future and connecting China globally, painted a picture of shared harmony across borders.

Marking the longest such holiday on record, extended to nine days from the usual seven, this year’s festivities highlighted the sustained vibrancy of China’s consumer market. Robust consumption was evident across diverse activities: festive shopping, family reunions, cultural travel, smart home upgrades, bustling city malls, and lively country markets. Together, these scenes illustrate a consumer market undergoing steady transformation.

A February 23rd WeChat data report confirmed this trend, showing offline transactions in travel and entertainment both rising by more than 20 percent year-on-year. Commercial districts nationwide enhanced visitor experiences. For example, Jinling Changlefang, an immersive cultural space themed on the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu province, offered immersive, theatrical-style consumption, while more than 30 temple fairs and lantern fairs,   including Beijing’s Changdian Temple Fair, enlivened major shopping areas.

Demand for premium travel experiences continued to thrive, with long-haul trips, in-depth tours and customized itineraries gaining traction. At the same time, intra-provincial getaways, short-distance excursions and urban micro-vacations remained popular, fueling the sustained and healthy expansion of the consumer market.

International media noted that Chinese citizens maximized the extended holiday setting multiple records in travel, leisure and spending. As one report noted, the Spring Festival has evolved beyond a traditional celebration into a catalyst capable of energizing the global economy.

Technology was a defining feature this year, adding a futuristic flair. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, humanoid robots stole the spotlight at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, delivering a human-robot martial arts performance that left international media in awe. 

“China is already showcasing real robots,” one outlet noted, marveling at how far the technology has come in just one year — from executing backflips to deftly handling nunchaku. The dazzling display underscored the steady breakthroughs Chinese companies are making in core robotics technologies.

The use of large AI models surged during this year’s Spring Festival holiday. From Chinese New Year’s Eve to the third day of the Chinese New Year, total interactions topped 10 billion. 

The blend of cutting-edge technology and time-honored traditions added a unique warmth to the festivities, offering a vivid glimpse of how innovation is increasingly serving people’s lives.

Chinese robots made their debut at the United Nations headquarters in New York, captivating visitors as they wrote the character “fu” (blessing) and engaged in playful interactions. In Sydney, immersive holographic digital displays at DigiPark offered dazzling new ways to experience Chinese culture. Meanwhile, virtual reality-based programs from China drew eager crowds in Amman, Jordan. People around the world are embracing China’s rapidly evolving technology and the dynamic future it represents.

The Spring Festival is not only China’s premier time for family reunions but is increasingly becoming a global travel season. As China’s visa-free policies continue to expand, celebrating the Chinese New Year in China has become a growing trend among international visitors. 

China’s National Immigration Administration projected that average daily cross-border trips during the holiday would exceed 2.05 million, up 14.1 percent year on year. 

U.S. magazine Global Traveler recently observed that more foreign tourists are shifting from traditional sightseeing to immersive cultural experiences, seeking deeper connections with China’s rich cultural heritage.

Data from Chinese travel platform Qunar showed a 20-percent year-on-year increase in domestic flight bookings made with non-Chinese passports, with international visitors traveling to 107 cities across China. 

From immersive cultural experiences to practical perks like departure tax refunds, foreign tourists are discovering both the richness of Chinese traditions and the convenience of traveler-friendly policies. More than just “traveling in China,” they are now “shopping in China” — gaining a firsthand appreciation of a country that is warm, open and inclusive.

As spring returns and all things renew, the holiday has reflected a China vibrant and confident in its forward momentum. The consumption potential of the vast Chinese market, the opportunities created by continued opening up, and the powerful momentum driven by technological innovation together form the foundation for China’s steady and long-term economic growth. A confident China will continue to move forward hand in hand with the world toward a brighter shared future.

By Li Gang, Shen Wenmin, Wang Weijian, Dou Hanyang

In a landmark development for Chinese automotive exports, BYD’s vehicle carrier Changzhou recently delivered over 5,800 new energy vehicles (NEVs) to Argentina’s Port of Zarate. 

This shipment represents both the largest single import of Chinese-branded electric vehicles into Argentina and marks BYD’s pioneering entry into the market through a vertically integrated approach featuring a self-operated fleet, direct sales model, and full product lineup.

This achievement reflects China’s broader foreign trade momentum. In 2025, the country’s total goods imports and exports reached 45.47 trillion yuan (about $6.59 trillion), up 3.8 percent year on year, consolidating the country’s position as the world’s largest trader in goods.

Leveraging their geographic advantages and industrial strengths, provincial-level regions across the country reported robust trade performance.

Guangdong, China’s leading province in foreign trade, recorded 9.49 trillion yuan in total foreign trade in 2025, ranking first nationwide for the 40th consecutive year. A significant milestone was achieved as high-tech product exports exceeded 1 trillion yuan for the first time, reaching 1.14 trillion yuan, signaling a clear move up the value chain.

Demonstrating industrial cluster strength, Jiangsu’s trade transformation is exemplified by shipments like the 36 wind turbine blades recently exported from Jiangyin Comprehensive Bonded Zone by Chinese company Envision. In 2025, mechanical and electrical products exceeded 70 percent of the province’s exports for the first time, with leading sectors including electrical equipment and shipbuilding.

Digital trade is reshaping Zhejiang’s commerce, highlighted by the launch of the Global Digital Trade Center in Yiwu. In 2025, the sampled transaction value at the Yiwu International Trade market is expected to exceed 320 billion yuan, with a daily average of over 4,000 international buyers, the highest level in a decade. Zhejiang’s total foreign trade reached 5.55 trillion yuan in 2025, with digital transformation emerging as a defining feature.

According to Jiang Zhao, associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Shandong, Beijing and Fujian together recorded 34.11 trillion yuan in foreign trade in 2025, contributing more than half of the country’s total trade growth. 

China’s exports, he noted, are shifting from a focus on expanding volume to pursuing both scale and quality, with high-tech and technology-intensive products playing an increasingly prominent role.

Amid a shifting and increasingly complex global trade landscape, regions across China are accelerating their push for greater international market diversification. By deepening engagement 

have effectively hedged against the risks of overreliance on any single market.

After a 14-day journey across Eurasia, the first China-Europe freight train of the year departing from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area arrived in Malaszewicze, Poland. Among the 110 standard containers were semiconductor display panels and key components of Chinese home appliance giant TCL, which were swiftly transferred to the company’s television factory in Zyrardow in central Poland.

In recent years, TCL has focused on exporting industrial capabilities rather than just products, extending the strengths of Chinese manufacturing to major global markets and building a more open, collaborative and mutually beneficial innovation ecosystem with local partners, said Li Dongsheng, chairman of TCL.

Zhejiang’s trade expansion has been driven in particular by emerging markets. In 2025, ASEAN surpassed the European Union for the first time to become Zhejiang’s largest trading partner, with trade value reaching 869.07 billion yuan, up 16.5 percent. 

Yiwu’s small commodities were shipped to more than 20 countries in Central Asia and Europe via the “Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe” freight train service, which has helped form a global trading network where the city sources from the world and sells to the world.

As an international shipping hub, Shanghai has strengthened its role in linking domestic and global markets. In 2025, its trade with Belt and Road partner countries grew 12.1 percent year on year, supported by coordinated China-Europe freight train service and ocean shipping routes.

Empowered by digital technologies, upgraded logistics systems and an improved policy environment, Chinese foreign trade enterprises are overcoming traditional constraints in time and space, enabling more firms to participate in global competition.

Jiangsu has pioneered a model combining industrial e-commerce with supply chain finance. A comprehensive cross-border e-commerce service platform in the province’s Suzhou integrates customs clearance, logistics, tax rebates and financing services, driving a 35 percent increase in cross-border e-commerce exports among small and medium-sized enterprises in 2025.

Zhejiang has advanced new trade formats powered by digital trade and market procurement. In 2025, exports through market procurement, cross-border e-commerce and bonded maintenance exceeded 900 billion yuan, ranking first nationwide.

“China’s foreign trade innovation is gaining stronger momentum, with its advantages becoming more pronounced, trading partners more diversified, and resilience more robust. This will inject greater certainty into global economic and trade development,” said Liao Bingguang, a researcher with the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences.