The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remained China's largest trading partner in the first quarter (Q1) this year, with total trade reaching 1.71 trillion yuan (~$234.17 billion)—a 7.1-per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase and accounting for 16.6 per cent of China's overall foreign trade, according to China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC).

In recent years, ASEAN has maintained its position as China's largest trading partner, GAC spokesperson Lu Daliang told a recent press conference.

Since 2017, ASEAN has remained China's largest trading partner for agricultural products for eight consecutive years.

Chinese exports to ASEAN countries rose by more than 20 per cent during Q1 2025, while imports from ASEAN that include textile raw materials also witnessed steady growth, the GAC data showed.

In Q1 2025, China imported agricultural products worth 52.65 billion yuan from ASEAN countries—a 13.8-per cent YoY increase, while exporting 37.92-billion-yuan worth agricultural products to ASEAN countries—up by 1.4 per cent YoY, Lu was cited as saying by state-controlled media outlets.

In the same quarter, China's imports to ASEAN via rail transport grew by 37 per cent YoY, while imports via road transport increased by 23.2 per cent YoY.

The negotiations for the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area have now been substantively concluded.

Both sides will expand mutually beneficial cooperation in emerging industries like digital economy, green economy, and supply chain connectivity, while enhancing integration in areas like standards and regulations, Lu added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)