BEIJING - China's total goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms rose to 25.7 trillion yuan (about $3.6 trillion) in the first seven months of 2025, up 3.5 percent year-on-year, official data showed Thursday.

The growth rate accelerated from an increase of 2.9 percent registered in the first half of the year, according to the General Administration of Customs.

Despite a challenging external environment, China's foreign trade has maintained upward momentum this year, underpinning a steady economic recovery.

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Customs data showed a strong performance in foreign trade for July, with total goods trade rising 6.7 percent year-on-year. Exports jumped 8 percent, while imports climbed 4.8 percent to mark the second consecutive month of growth.

In the first seven months combined, exports were mainly driven by mechanical and electrical products, which accounted for about 60 percent of China's total exports. Notably, exports of automatic data processing equipment, integrated circuits, and automobiles all posted solid gains.

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On the import side, while volumes of certain bulk energy commodities declined, crude oil and soybeans rose. The import value of mechanical and electrical products also recorded steady growth.

ASEAN retained its position as China's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade growing 9.4 percent year-on-year in the first seven months, accounting for 16.7 percent of the country's total foreign trade. The European Union ranked second, with trade up by 3.9 percent. The United States was China's third-largest partner, though bilateral trade declined by 11.1 percent during the period.

Meanwhile, China's trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road cooperation reached 13.29 trillion yuan, up 5.5 percent from a year earlier.