China-APEC Trade Surges to $18.05 Trillion During 14th Five-Year Plan

Guangzhou, China – Trade between China and other economies within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum reached 125.49 trillion yuan (approximately $18.05 trillion USD) during China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). This represents a 39.4 percent increase compared to the preceding five-year period, according to data released today, February 4, 2026.

The figures, presented at the inaugural plenary session of the APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) 2026 held in Guangzhou, reveal that trade with APEC economies alone accounted for 26.29 trillion yuan in 2025 – nearly 60 percent of China’s total foreign trade for that year. This underscores the growing importance of the Asia-Pacific region to China’s economic performance.

Zhao Zenglian, Deputy Director-General of China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC), highlighted the Asia-Pacific region’s role as a key driver of global growth. He noted that the region’s combined economic volume now constitutes more than 60 percent of the global economy. This statistic reinforces the region’s central position in international trade and investment flows.

The GAC, as host of the SCCP for 2026, has outlined three key initiatives to further strengthen economic ties within the APEC region. These initiatives focus on deepening cooperation within the framework of the alliance for smart customs, enhancing the resilience of supply chains, and accelerating digital transformation. These proposals signal a commitment to modernizing trade practices and addressing emerging challenges in the global economic landscape.

The emphasis on “smart customs” suggests a move towards greater automation and data exchange in customs procedures. This could involve leveraging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain to streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve security. The focus on supply chain resilience is particularly relevant given recent global disruptions, including those caused by geopolitical events and the COVID-19 pandemic. Accelerating digital transformation aligns with broader global trends and aims to improve efficiency and competitiveness.

While the data released today focuses on overall trade volume, it doesn’t provide a breakdown of specific sectors or countries within APEC. Further analysis would be needed to determine which industries and economies have benefited most from this growth. However, the substantial increase in trade suggests a broad-based expansion of economic activity across the region.

The figures also come at a time when China’s domestic economic challenges are under scrutiny. A recent report, dated February 23, 2024, from Matthews Asia Funds noted that problems encountered by China were largely domestic in nature. Despite these internal issues, the continued growth in trade with APEC economies demonstrates China’s ability to maintain its position as a major global trading power.

The increasing integration with China through trade and tourism, as noted in a comparison of Hong Kong and Singapore by NationMaster.com, further illustrates the country’s influence in the region. This integration is likely to continue as China pursues its economic development goals and seeks to strengthen its relationships with its neighbors.

The data released by the GAC provides a snapshot of the economic relationship between China and the APEC region. The significant growth in trade volume underscores the importance of this partnership and highlights the potential for further cooperation in the years to come. The initiatives proposed by the GAC for 2026 suggest a commitment to fostering a more efficient, resilient, and digitally-driven trade environment.

Looking ahead, the success of these initiatives will depend on the willingness of APEC economies to collaborate and address common challenges. Factors such as geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and technological disruptions could all impact the future trajectory of trade within the region. Continued monitoring of economic data and policy developments will be crucial for understanding the evolving dynamics of the Asia-Pacific economy.