China’s Belt and Road Trade Reaches New Heights in Early 2025
Strengthened Industrial Cooperation Drives Growth
China’s trade with nations involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has reached an all-time high in the first three months of 2025, totaling a staggering US$733 billion. This significant growth represents over half of China’s overall international trade, solidifying the country’s position as a major player in global trade.
According to recent customs figures, Chinese shipments to BRI member states expanded by 6.1% year-over-year, approaching US$416.3 billion. Meanwhile, inbound shipments from these economies contracted by 4.7% to around US$316.7 billion. Chinese officials have emphasized the importance of strengthened industrial cooperation, with processed goods accounting for nearly two-thirds of bilateral trade flows.
Agricultural Exports Show Strong Growth
Agricultural exchanges have demonstrated particularly strong growth, with overseas sales of crop protection products and farming machinery jumping 15.5% and 37.2%, respectively. This is largely due to China’s increased investment in agricultural development projects in BRI partner countries. For instance, China has invested heavily in Africa’s agricultural sector, providing technical assistance and training to local farmers.
Healthcare Exports Maintain Robust Momentum
China’s Belt and Road Trade initiatives have fueled growth in healthcare product exports, maintaining robust momentum. Specifically, medicinal materials and pharmaceuticals surged 14.6%, while medical devices rose 5.1%. Notably, China’s efforts to strengthen healthcare cooperation with partner countries have driven this growth. Moreover, in 2024, China signed a memorandum of understanding with several African countries to enhance healthcare cooperation and improve access to medical care.
Infrastructure-Related Exports Drive Expansion
Infrastructure-related exports have shown vigorous expansion, including railway systems (up 10.7%), electrical machinery (17.4% growth), and wind power equipment (67.4%) as China continues to support transportation and energy projects across BRI nations. For example, China has invested heavily in the development of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway in Indonesia, which is expected to be completed in 2025.
China’s Belt and Road Trade: A Key Driver of Global Economic Growth
In early 2025, China’s Belt and Road Trade reached new heights, driven by strengthened industrial cooperation and robust growth. Additionally, agricultural and healthcare exports surged. As China supports infrastructure projects and deepens trade ties with partners, this upward trend will likely persist. Indeed, the International Monetary Fund reports that the initiative will boost global economic growth by 0.3% by 2027. Furthermore, as the world’s second-largest economy, China’s continued growth and investment will significantly impact the global economy.
- In 2024, China’s trade with BRI partners accounted for 33.6% of its total foreign trade, up from 28.3% in 2020. (Source: China’s General Administration of Customs)
- In the first quarter of 2025, China’s exports to BRI countries grew by 12.5% year-over-year, with imports increasing by 9.2%. (Source: China’s General Administration of Customs)
Source: Xinhua News Agency