Global Times: 7.2% export growth underscores resilience of China's economy

Beijing, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "China recently released economic data for the first half of the year, showing a 7.2 percent increase in exports. This figure is both surprising and encouraging, particularly given the considerable external challenges faced during the period. So, how should we interpret this growth?" This is a question posed by a reader on people.cn.

In the first half of the year, China's exports reached 13 trillion yuan ($1.79 trillion), up 7.2 percent year-on-year — marking the first time that the scale of exports for the same period has exceeded 13 trillion yuan, according to customs data released on Monday.

This notable performance underscores the resilience of China's economy, a strength that has earned recognition and praise from international observers.

Supports behind numbers

The growth is supported by China's comprehensive industrial system and driven by the deep integration of technological advancement and industrial innovation. At its core, it reflects the country's capacity to meet with global market demand through sustained, high-quality supply.

Consider just one example: In the first half of the year, China's exports of high-tech products rose by 9.2 percent, marking nine consecutive months of growth, according to customs data. Notably, exports of high-end machine tools, ships and marine engineering equipment each grew of over 20 percent.

Over the past six months, the external environment has shifted dramatically, and China's economic development has not been easy. Yet both enterprises and the governments have demonstrated steady resolve and resilience, navigating challenges with calm and confidence.

Composed, confident and unshaken by headwinds — this is China today.

Years of advancing high-quality development and practice have taught us that, regardless of external uncertainties, staying focused on our own path and steadily expanding opening-up will help China's economy to remain stable and resilient in the face of any challenges.

This achievement would not have been possible without the composure and resilience of Chinese companies amid growing global uncertainties. "Don't overthink the difficulties — just do it, one step at a time." "Difficulties are part of the journey. When have we ever not faced difficulties?" said Chinese traders.

A recent interview with Ren Zhengfei, the founder of Chinese tech giant Huawei, in the People's Daily offers a telling example. During the second quarter of this year, as global dynamics shifted sharply and external pressures intensified, Chinese firms remained composed and responded not with panic but with greater resolve in the face of adversity.

The city of Yiwu in East China's Zhejiang Province, often seen as a barometer of China's foreign trade, reflects this steady mindset. "Staying calm is especially important when the tide is uncertain," said Lü Chengjun, a scale vendor in the Yiwu Commodity City for 23 years and owner of Yiwu Chaolan Hardware Business. True to his company's name — which means "rising beyond the waves." Lü remains unshaken even when faced with order cancellations from overseas clients.

"Everyone is staying calm, hoping to see the rainbow after the storm," Lü said, speaking for many Yiwu traders. Instead of waiting passively, they are focusing on improving internal capabilities, enhancing innovation, product quality and branding, to expand their global reach.

Enterprises are the fundamental building blocks of economic activities. Today, countless businesses are forging a new path toward high-quality growth with determination, perseverance and confidence.

Government support

In 2024, Shenzhen's exports reached 2.81 trillion yuan, up 14.6 percent year-on-year, marking the 32nd consecutive year it led all mainland cities in foreign trade, according to the city's official news outlet. From January to May this year, however, its exports dropped by 8.6 percent. Meanwhile, Dongguan in South China's Guangdong Province saw its total foreign trade grow 17.4 percent during the same period, with exports rising 11.2 percent — a sharp rebound from a 3.4 percent decline in the same period last year, according to data from the city's statistics bureau.

Despite the fluctuations in growth, both Shenzhen and Dongguan have remained calm and focused, rolling out pragmatic policies to support businesses, boost exports and improve the development environment. What people are seeing is steady progress, firm confidence and unshakable commitment to high-quality development.

Development is rarely linear; it often advances through waves and turns. Responding to external uncertainties with internal stability, and consistently focusing on domestic development — this is China's philosophy and conviction.

Behind the 7.2 percent growth figure lies the resilience and potential of China's economy — as well as the calm and composure of its people. It reflects national confidence.

Confidence is rooted in the present — and even more so in the future. "We have always grown through storms and emerged stronger through trials. We must remain confident."

Facing a complex and volatile external environment, the Chinese government has demonstrated strong policy responsiveness, swiftly introducing targeted support measures amid rising uncertainties, Li Changan, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies at the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Thursday.

For example, local authorities have promptly organized overseas exhibitions and provided financial assistance to help enterprises explore international markets, effectively mitigating external pressure, Li said.

Li noted that the government's support for foreign trade is underpinned by a three-fold rationale: stabilizing growth, sustaining market entities and safeguarding livelihoods. Exports are a key driver of overall demand, and a stable trade sector plays a vital role in ensuring macroeconomic stability, he said. "With a vast number of private exporters, supporting these market players is crucial for maintaining employment and social cohesion. Since foreign trade enterprises underpin millions of jobs, stabilizing trade is ultimately essential to protecting livelihoods."

SOURCE Global Times