"In addition, some countries have politicized economic and trade issues, abused export control measures, and unjustifiably restricted the export of certain products to China; otherwise, we would have imported more," Lyu said.

On Dec. 1, 2024, China granted zero tariff treatment to 100 percent of tax lines from all the least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, which led to an 18.1 percent growth in imports from relevant countries in the month, Lyu said.

China's orderly expansion of voluntary and unilateral opening up and the potential of its vast market are providing more opportunities for the world to share the Chinese market, Lyu said.

BROADENING "FRIENDS CIRCLE"

"China has become a major trading partner of more than 150 countries and regions, and the country's circle of friends in foreign trade is getting larger," Wang said.

The official revealed that China's export destinations in 2024 increased by one while the countries and regions exporting to China grew by four compared to 2023.

For the first time, countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative accounted for more than 50 percent of China's total foreign trade value in the year 2024, with the figure reaching 50.3 percent, Wang said. "Chinese-made products have effectively met the production and consumption needs of relevant countries, while high-quality products from these countries have also continuously entered the Chinese market."

According to customs data, China imported 9.86 trillion yuan of goods from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative last year, up 2.7 percent. This accounted for 53.6 percent of the country's total import value.

China has continuously promoted East Asia cooperation and regional economic integration and strengthened industrial chain cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). According to Wang, China and the ASEAN have been each other's largest trading partners for the fifth consecutive year in 2024.

The official said China's imports and exports to other BRICS members and partners increased by 5.5 percent last year. In addition, China strengthened economic and trade cooperation with Latin America, Africa, Central Asian countries, and Central and Eastern Europe.

Meanwhile, China's foreign trade with traditional markets, including the EU and the United States, grew last year. The EU is the top source of China's imported consumer products.

Wang said that major international economic organizations have predicted continued growth of global trade in goods this year and that the supporting factors for promoting high-quality development of China's foreign trade will remain in 2025.

Regarding the trend of exports this year, Lyu said despite the increasing challenges of the external environment and uncertainties, China's exports will continue to show resilience and vitality with its full range of products, flexibility and diversified markets.