According to statistics released by Shanghai Customs on January 16, Shanghai’s total foreign trade import and export value reached 4.51 trillion yuan (RMB) in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 5.6%, setting a new historical record. Exports amounted to 2.02 trillion yuan, showing a significant growth of 10.8%, while imports reached 2.49 trillion yuan, increasing by 1.8%.

“In 2025, amidst a turbulent external environment, Shanghai’s foreign trade maintained its footing, with import, export, and total trade volume all reaching record highs. The annual growth rate for total trade exceeded the national average by 1.8 percentage points, and the export growth rate led the national average by 4.7 percentage points,” stated a customs official. “During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Shanghai’s cumulative import and export volume exceeded 21 trillion yuan, an increase of over 30% compared to the 13th Five-Year Plan period, marking a systemic leap in structure, momentum, and overall pattern.”

In 2025, Shanghai’s trade with 167 countries and regions achieved growth, with trade involving emerging markets such as Africa, India, and ASEAN registering double-digit growth rates. The “100-billion-yuan trade partner club” continued to expand, with its membership increasing to 49. Meanwhile, new foreign trade models, represented by cross-border e-commerce and bonded maintenance, flourished, becoming new driving forces for optimizing the trade structure.

Shanghai’s export performance in 2025 was particularly notable. Among the main export commodities, the “new three” items representing high-end manufacturing—electric passenger vehicles, solar batteries, and lithium batteries—achieved an export value of 156.67 billion yuan. Notably, electric vehicle exports surpassed the 100-billion-yuan mark, with hybrid vehicle exports surging by nearly 150%. Leading advantages have been established in exports from some cutting-edge industries: exports of high-end machine tools grew by nearly 30%, industrial robot exports increased by over 40%, and surgical robot exports soared by 3.7 times, indicating that “Shanghai Manufacturing” is accelerating its transition towards “Shanghai Intelligent Manufacturing.”

“Looking ahead, although the external environment remains complex, Shanghai’s foreign trade possesses strong resilience, and its fundamental development base will remain stable. The vast demand from emerging markets, the powerful momentum of high-end manufacturing, and the continuous emergence of new technologies and products are converging to form a powerful driving force for the high-quality development of Shanghai’s foreign trade,” the official added.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a major global metropolis and financial hub on China’s east coast, which grew from a small fishing village into a significant port following the 1842 Treaty of Nanking. Its iconic Bund waterfront reflects its history as an international concession, while districts like Pudong, with its modern skyscrapers, symbolize its rapid 21st-century economic rise. The city is a dynamic blend of historic Shikumen architecture, vibrant arts scenes, and its enduring role as a central gateway for trade and cultural exchange.

Africa

Africa is a vast and diverse continent, not a single place or site, with a history spanning millions of years as the cradle of humankind. It is home to countless cultural and historical sites, from the ancient pyramids of Egypt and the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela to the Great Zimbabwe ruins, each reflecting powerful civilizations and kingdoms. Its modern cultural landscape is shaped by a rich tapestry of indigenous traditions, the impacts of colonialism, and dynamic contemporary societies.

India

India is a vast and ancient civilization in South Asia, home to one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures, with roots in the Indus Valley Civilization dating back over 5,000 years. It is renowned for its profound spiritual traditions, diverse languages, and historic landmarks like the Taj Mahal, reflecting a rich tapestry of empires, religions, and colonial influences that have shaped its modern identity.

ASEAN

ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a regional intergovernmental organization founded in 1967 by five founding members—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand—to promote political and economic cooperation and regional stability. It has since expanded to include ten member states and is a major economic bloc, fostering integration through agreements like the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).