China can use imports as a 'bridge between domestic and international markets', expert says

As global trade faces rising geopolitical and technological challenges, China's import strategy is expected to focus on strengthening supply chain resilience and promoting digital and green trade, experts said.

Their remarks came as the 2025 China Import Development Report was released on Sunday in Beijing. By analyzing the latest trends in China's import landscape, the report underscores the importance of expanding high-level opening-up to achieve high-quality economic growth.

The report was jointly issued by Beijing Normal University and the China Association of International Trade, and edited by Professor Weihao, vice-dean of the School of Economics and Business Administration of Beijing Normal University and director of the National Import Research Center.

China's position in global and regional import networks has continued to strengthen, while the density and complexity of global import linkages have increased notably, the report said.

According to the report, China's import structure has shifted notably between 2010 and 2024. The share of technology-intensive products has slightly declined, and although imports of mid to high-tech goods have rebounded since 2021, there remains room for improvement compared with global averages.

Wang Ming, vice-president of Beijing Normal University, said at the event that expanding high-level opening-up is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. "Imports serve as a vital bridge between domestic and international markets," he said, adding that greater imports can help attract advanced global resources and empower the development of new quality productive forces.

Jin Xu, chairman of the China Association of International Trade, said efforts should focus on promoting high-level opening-up, pooling expertise, and deepening research on import trade to advance its high-quality development and better serve China's new development paradigm.

The report also highlights emerging opportunities in digital trade and cross-border e-commerce imports, as well as the growing importance of education and regional differentiation in import demand.

yinmingyue@chinadaily.com.cn