Recently, some Western media outlets have once again exaggerated claims that China’s trade surplus is “squeezing” and “affecting” the global market. The reality is quite the opposite. In 2025, China’s imports reached 18.5 trillion yuan. China has been the world’s second-largest importer for 17 consecutive years. It is a major export destination for nearly 80 countries and is creating significant employment opportunities and tax revenues for an increasing number of countries. In the first half of this year, China’s imports exceeded 10 trillion yuan for the first time in history.
Against the backdrop of rising protectionism in global trade, China has adopted a policy of expanding imports. Through concrete measures, including reducing tariffs, improving customs clearance procedures and hosting the China International Import Expo (CIIE), China is working to uphold the multilateral trading system and bring greater certainty to the global economy. The more China imports, the more secure the exports of its trading partners become; and the faster the quality of China’s consumption improves, the more dynamic global supply chains become.
China’s development is not a “threat” to the world, but an opportunity for shared development. It is not a matter of “pressure” or “influence,” but of genuine empowerment and providing sustainable and stable demand. China has always embraced the world with an open attitude, continuously expanding imports by relying on its vast domestic market and sharing the benefits of development with all its trade partners.
Source: Cai-Alim-Wang Haiman, China Media Group.