Chongqing — Chongqing reported steady foreign trade growth in 2025, with total imports and exports reaching 800.68 billion yuan (about 112.7 billion U.S. dollars), up 12% year on year, according to data released at a press conference on January 26.
Exports of Chongqing-made products gained traction overseas, driven by electric vehicles, photovoltaic products, and lithium batteries. Combined exports of the three categories surged 73.5% from a year earlier, reflecting strong demand for greener and technology-intensive products.
Exports remained the main driver of growth. Chongqing's total exports rose to 558.73 billion yuan, with mechanical and electrical products accounting for 496.24 billion yuan, or 88.8% of the total. Shipments of mobile phones, automobiles, and motorcycles reached 56.7 billion yuan, 53.03 billion yuan, and 26.47 billion yuan, respectively, with year-on-year growth of 35.4%, 23%, and 29.5%.
Imports also maintained momentum, expanding for three consecutive quarters in 2025. Imports of electronic components rose 16.2%, while purchases of computer parts and accessories jumped 37.2%. Imports of bulk commodities increased 9.7%, providing support for industrial production and supply chain stability.
In national terms, Chongqing ranked eighth in overall import-export growth, eleventh in export growth, and fourth in import growth in 2025. Its growth rates exceeded national averages by 8.2, 4.1, and 15.9 percentage points, respectively. Chongqing contributed more than 20% to the total foreign trade growth in western China.
Chongqing-made vehicles are parked at the Chongqing rail port for export shipment. (Photo/Chongqing Customs District)
Furthermore, Chongqing's trade ties also continued to widen. The city conducted trade with around 230 countries and regions in 2025, with nearly 180 reporting growth in bilateral trade. ASEAN and the European Union remained its two largest trading partners.
Trade with ASEAN reached 132.65 billion yuan, up 12.6%, while trade with the EU totalled 108.24 billion yuan, a 10.2% increase year on year. Trade with emerging markets expanded more rapidly, with exchanges with Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia reaching 69.19 billion yuan, 35.39 billion yuan, and 9.82 billion yuan, up 22.3%, 38.7%, and 92.4%, respectively.
Officials highlighted ASEAN's growing importance to Chongqing's external trade. ASEAN remained the city's largest trading partner in 2025, with more than 70% of ASEAN member states recording double-digit growth in trade with Chongqing.
To deepen cooperation, Chongqing established the first customs cooperation mechanism centred on the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. The framework was later extended to Kazakhstan in Central Asia, producing tangible progress in international rail transport and cross-border road freight. As a result, Chongqing's import and export value with ASEAN via rail transport jumped 158.9%, while road-based trade surged 157.8%.
Looking ahead, officials said Chongqing aims to build itself into a major inland hub for opening up during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The city will focus on streamlining cross-border trade, improving the flow of key resources into inland markets, and safeguarding industrial and supply chains.