Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao on Friday said China's foreign trade maintained strong growth momentum in the first two months of the year, though worsening geopolitical conflicts are bringing greater uncertainties.

Wang's remarks came as he joined a group of the country's top economic and financial officials at a press conference on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.

Speaking to reporters, Wang said China's foreign trade rose for the ninth consecutive year in 2025, with overall exports rising by 6.1 percent year on year despite a 19 percent drop in shipments to the US, in renminbi terms.

He said the country's foreign trade maintained strong momentum in January and February, and while official figures have not yet been released, "they are better than expected".

"That said, the external environment is still complex and severe, bringing much pressure on foreign trade," Wang warned.

"Recently, the geopolitical conflicts are worsening, international trade order and global supply chains have been hit, bringing greater uncertainty and instability. I think there are no upper limits when it comes to uncertainties."

Addressing questions over the country's record high trade surplus of US$1.2 trillion last year, Wang said officials will focus on "three pillars" covering trade in goods, services, as well as digital trade, while promoting a balance between imports and exports.

"We have noted concerns from our trading partners and we'll work to ensure balanced trade development going forward," he said.

"I believe that exports and imports are like the two wheels of a car - if they're in balance, the car runs more smoothly and can go further."

Wang said China, as the world's second-largest economy and the second-largest import market, still has "huge potential" as the number of middle-incomers rises.

Also speaking at the event, People's Bank of China governor Pan Gongsheng, said China would not seek to devalue the renminbi to gain any trade benefits.

"In recent years, China does not have the need or intention to devalue its currency to gain a competitive edge in trade," he said.

"The position of the PBOC has been always clear: we will continue to uphold a decisive role of the market in exchange rate formation... and keep the renminbi exchange rate basically stable at an adaptive and balanced level."

(Additional reporting by Reuters)



Edited by Thomas McAlinden