A decade ago, Chilean cherries were very rare in the refrigerators of Chinese households. Today, these cherries, alongside avocados from Mexico, beef from Argentina and durians from Thailand, have become common on Chinese dining tables. Around 90% of Chile’s cherry exports now flow to China, supporting some 200,000 local jobs.
This transformation is no accident. It stems from China’s proactive policies to expand imports, such as lowering tariffs, simplifying trade procedures and extending zero-tariff treatment to the least-developed countries having diplomatic relations with China. These measures are not isolated steps, but rather part of a broader push to address the nation’s trade balance, drive high-quality development and deepen global partnerships.
The recommendations for formulating the 15th Five Year Plan (2026-30) have put forward balancing imports and exports as a key objective. The value of balanced import-export development extends far beyond household dining tables, exerting a profound ripple effect on China’s industrial upgrading and high-quality growth. In advanced manufacturing, for example, importing advanced equipment and key components enables upward movement along the value chain. At the same time, the influx of foreign goods introduces new ideas and standards, heightening competitive impetus. This creates more discerning consumers and forces local firms to improve their products – ultimately elevating the overall quality of the “Made in China” brand.
Beyond bolstering industrial competitiveness, balanced import and export also serves as a cornerstone of China’s job market. Imports and exports support employment for 190 million people, accounting for one-fourth of the country’s total employment. Nearly 700,000 entities are engaged in foreign trade, with private enterprises making up about 90% of the total. This solid employment foundation, in turn, fuels the purchasing power of Chinese households, driving the continuous expansion of the domestic consumption market. In the first 11 months of 2025, China’s total goods imports reached approximately CNY16.75 trillion, with consumer goods imports maintaining steady growth, underscoring the robust scale and resilience of domestic demand.
“Balanced imports and exports help China better utilize both domestic and international markets and resources, strengthening the stability and competitiveness of its industrial and supply chains while raising consumer satisfaction and well-being,” said Bai Ming, Researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, a think tank under the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). Notably, this balanced approach goes far beyond goods trade to encompass vigorous expansion in services imports, a key pillar of China’s high-standard opening-up drive. The Ministry said that in the first 10 months of 2025, China’s services imports reached nearly CNY3.68 trillion, growing 2.6% year-on-year. Services imports span telecommunications, computer and information services, and financial services, providing critical support for domestic industrial upgrading and consumption upgrading. For example, imported cloud computing solutions have accelerated the digital transformation of China’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). At the same time, cross-border financial consulting services have helped domestic firms navigate overseas market regulations. “The import of professional services such as international legal counsel, engineering design, and inspection and testing, has helped domestic companies align with global standards and enhance their international competitiveness,” said Song Siyuan, Researcher with the Commerce Ministry’s think tank.
China’s growing demand for global services is creating new opportunities for service providers worldwide, from digital tech firms to international consulting agencies. Global logistics firms, for instance, have expanded their footprint in China to cater to the surging cross-border trade of goods and services, the China Daily reports.
