4 Key Takeaways Emerging From China’s Trade Data
The DiplomatAmid tensions with the U.S., China is recalibrating its approach to international trade – a strategic shift now visible in the trade data. According to Financial Times calculations, in the 12 months leading up to October 2023, this network covered almost 40 percent of China’s exports and trade between China and FTA partners was worth approximately $1.3 trillion. As Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen pointed out, “We have a full agenda for FTA negotiations this year.” Emphasis on Developing Countries First While there is an ongoing debate about whether Beijing is succeeding in winning “the hearts and minds” of the Global South, it is widely acknowledged that China has become a crucial economic partner for many emerging economies around the world. According to China’s customs data released in January, trade with BRI countries experienced solid growth in 2023, accounting for 46.6 percent of the total and amounting to $2.74 trillion. Accelerating Technological Self-sufficiency During the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party, Beijing made it a top priority to pursue technological self-sufficiency, part of the CCP’s plan for “the nation’s advancement through science, technology, and education.” With the United States increasing efforts to restrict China’s access to semiconductors, which are crucial components for technological development, the need for self-reliance has become even more pressing for China.