China by Numbers Ep.07: Trade

In this episode, let's look at the changing landscape of China's foreign trade.

Over the past 100 years, a growing number of countries have shown interest in the Chinese market and goods.

China has become a major economic powerhouse on the world stage since reform and opening up began in 1978. [Photo: China Plus]

Compared with 100 years ago, the number of China's trade partners has grown to over 230.

In recent years, the EU, the US, ASEAN and Japan have been China's main trade partners.

China has become the largest trading partner for over 120 countries and blocs.

Since reform and opening up began in 1978, China has become a major economic powerhouse on the world stage.

In 2001, the country joined the World Trade Organization, embracing a growing trend towards globalization and a multilateral trade order.

Over the decades, its annual trade volume has increased significantly. By 2013, China had overtaken the US as the world's largest trader in goods. In 2019, China's trade volume exceeded 4.8 trillion US dollars. And it also represents a more than 5,300-fold increase from a century ago.