Reference News Network reported on June 10 that according to Agence France-Presse on June 9, China's total import and export volume of goods priced in RMB increased by 2.7% year-on-year in May.

Official data released by the General Administration of Customs of China on the 9th showed that the total foreign trade volume in May 2025 was 3.81 trillion RMB.

Specifically, exports increased by 6.3% year-on-year, reaching about 2.28 trillion RMB. Meanwhile, imports decreased by 2.1% year-on-year, about 1.53 trillion RMB. Therefore, China's goods trade surplus in May was about 743.56 billion RMB, up 26.8% compared to the same period in 2024.

From January to May, China's total import and export volume of goods priced in RMB increased by 2.5%, with exports up 7.2% and imports down 3.8%.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported on June 9 that despite escalating trade tensions with the United States, the General Administration of Customs of China stated on the 9th that China's exports continued to grow in May.

The Customs Administration stated that measured in US dollars, exports increased by 4.8% year-on-year, imports decreased by 3.4% year-on-year, and the trade surplus for the month was about 103.22 billion US dollars. These figures were in line with market expectations.

The Associated Press reported on June 9 that data released on the 9th, measured in US dollars, showed China's exports in May increased by 4.8% year-on-year, slightly below expectations, with exports to the US declining nearly 10%.

Imports decreased by 3.4% year-on-year, and the trade surplus was 103.22 billion US dollars.

China's exports to the United States in May were about 28.8 billion US dollars, while imports from the US decreased by 7.4% to about 10.8 billion US dollars. However, China's exports to ASEAN and the European Union remained strong.

Song Lin, Chief Economist for Greater China at ING, commented: "In the face of the trade war, accelerating exports to other economies has helped maintain a relatively optimistic outlook for China's exports."

Additionally, All Japan News Network reported on June 9 emphasizing that China's trade was generally steady from January to May.

The report said that China released trade statistics for January to May on the 9th. Although bilateral trade volume with the US significantly decreased due to tariff negotiations, China's total trade volume continued to grow.

Data released by the General Administration of Customs of China showed that the total import and export volume from January to May was about 2.4978 trillion US dollars, up 1.3% year-on-year. Among this, exports were about 1.4848 trillion US dollars, up 6.0% year-on-year.

China's exports to the US in May were 28.8193 billion US dollars, down 9.7% year-on-year.

The report pointed out that on the other hand, China's exports to Africa in May reached 19.4932 billion US dollars, up 18.9% year-on-year, achieving significant growth. Trade between China and countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative as well as ASEAN countries remained steady.

Against the backdrop of ongoing trade frictions with the US, China is actively promoting diversification of its trade partners.

Additionally, Agence France-Presse reported on June 9 that China's main inflation indicator, the nationwide Consumer Price Index (CPI), fell by 0.1% year-on-year in May, the same decline as the previous month, and decreased by 0.2% month-on-month.

However, the decline in this indicator released by China's National Bureau of Statistics on the 9th was smaller than the 0.2% predicted by most analysts.

Dong Lijuan, Chief Statistician of the Urban Department of the National Bureau of Statistics, pointed out that the core CPI rose by 0.6% year-on-year. Due to volatility in food and energy prices, the core CPI excludes food and energy prices.

Dong Lijuan explained: "The month-on-month decline in CPI was mainly influenced by falling energy prices." The expert said: "Policies to boost consumption continue to be effective, and the release of demand for some consumer goods has driven price rebounds in related industries."

In recent months, the Chinese government has repeatedly emphasized that comprehensively expanding domestic demand is one of the main economic priorities for 2025. (Translation/ Yang Xinpeng, Su Jiawei, Ma Xiaoyun)