More needs to be done to keep trade resilient

Editor's note: Despite the global headwinds, China's total imports and exports reached a record high of 45.47 trillion yuan ($6.55 trillion) in 2025, increasing for the ninth consecutive year. Zhang Jianping, deputy director of the academic committee at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, spoke to China Economic Times about what the country can do to maintain the momentum in 2026. Below are excerpts of the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

China's imports and exports achieved steady growth in 2025, reaching a record high. That demonstrates the resilience of the country's foreign trade sector, which is due to a number of factors.

First, China has continued to enhance the competitiveness of its industries. It is the world's largest manufacturer, boasting a comprehensive industrial system covering 41 major categories, 207 intermediate categories and 666 small categories. In recent years, China has vigorously encouraged companies to pursue independent innovation, create their own intellectual property and develop their own brands. As a result, high-tech products such as integrated circuits, automobiles and new energy batteries have steadily expanded their global market share to become the core drivers of export growth.

Second, China has consistently rolled out policies to facilitate foreign trade. A firm supporter of the multilateral trading system, China has actively promoted regional economic cooperation and integration by signing more than 20 bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements. It has set up pilot free trade zones in 22 provincial-level regions, and launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port. These efforts have helped liberalize and facilitate trade, reducing foreign trade costs.

Third, China boasts a vast and highly diverse market. The country's economy is rebounding, and its demand is being unleashed, providing rich opportunities for countries around the world.

In 2026, China's foreign trade will continue to face a complex external environment. Other countries will likely intensify their protectionism and put up trade barriers, with the risks of both tariff and nontariff barriers rising globally. The ongoing geopolitical tensions will add to the risks to China's foreign trade.

China should take advantage of the Hainan FTP and the pilot free trade zones to make foreign trade more liberal, easier, smarter and more eco-friendly. Policy coordination also needs to be strengthened between measures aimed at stabilizing foreign trade and economic growth. Efforts should be made to promote financial inclusiveness, export credit insurance and trade facilitation. The country also needs to stabilize foreign exchange rates.

More awareness campaigns and training sessions should be provided to Chinese companies to help them optimally utilize trade rules. Companies should take the initiative to study and make use of the bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements China has signed, especially the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

China should also actively participate in global economic governance, work for the reform of the multilateral trading system, and continue to uphold the global free trade system.

Shenzhen will host the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. Trade with APEC members accounts for over 60 percent of China's total foreign trade. China can use the meeting to promote deeper economic cooperation and integration in the Asia-Pacific.