Guangdong's trade volume reached new heights in 2025, data shows

Guangdong, China's largest trading province, recorded steady growth in foreign trade throughout last year, with imports and exports rising in every quarter, customs authorities said on Monday.

According to a statement from Guangdong Customs, the province's total trade volume reached 9.49 trillion yuan ($304.29 billion) in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 4.4 percent, hitting a new annual record high. Exports rose 2.5 percent to 6.03 trillion yuan, while imports grew faster, increasing 7.8 percent to 3.46 trillion yuan.

Quarterly data showed consistent momentum. Trade grew 4.1 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, 3.8 percent in the second, 3.5 percent in the third, and accelerated to 6.1 percent in the final quarter, demonstrating the province's strong trade resilience and potential.

Guangdong accounted for 20.9 percent of China's total foreign trade last year, slightly higher than in 2024. The province has remained China's top trading region for 40 consecutive years and contributed 24.1 percent of the country's overall trade growth, customs data showed.

Trade with Guangdong's three largest partners — the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the European Union — each exceeded 1 trillion yuan. Trade with ASEAN reached 1.53 trillion yuan, up 5.8 percent.

Growth was even stronger in emerging markets. Trade with the five Central Asian countries surged 23.6 percent, while trade with Africa and the Middle East rose 10.7 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively, all outpacing the province's overall growth rate.