In the intricate architecture of economic growth, export stands as a pivotal pillar alongside investment and consumption, often referred to as the "three drivers" of economic prosperity. This notion resonates with experts who assert that recent policy initiatives in China are not just broad in scope but also sharply focused, aiming to solidify and elevate the nation's competitive edge in foreign trade. This, in turn, reinforces the significant role that external trade plays in supporting the overall economy.

The first ten months of this year have seen China's total import and export value reach an unprecedented 36.02 trillion yuan, marking a historic high for the same period. Such figures underline the resilience and dynamism of China's industrial supply chain. Not only has the country maintained a steady share in the global market, but its trade, particularly in industrial sectors, has expanded impressively to stabilize industrial growth.

November marked a significant milestone for the Yiwu-China Europe freight train, which celebrated a decade of operation. Since its inception, the annual number of trains has soared to over 1,100, with their cargo value skyrocketing from a mere $0.92 billion to an astounding $2.62 billion. The range of goods transported has proliferated from nearly 10,000 to almost 50,000 varieties, with a noticeable shift towards high-value, technology-driven products such as automotive parts, smart home appliances, solar panels, and new energy vehicles.

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Professor Zhu Caihua from the International Economy Research Institute of the University of International Business and Economics has emphasized that the past decade's persistent efforts at economic structural adjustment and power transformation are propelling China from being merely a large trading nation to genuinely becoming a trading powerhouse. This transition is increasingly reflected in the growing proportion of locally developed high-tech and high-value-added products within the realm of manufactured goods.

China finds itself amidst a vital period where its status as a major trading nation is solidifying, with solid advancements toward becoming a trade power. As articulated by Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister and International Trade Negotiator at the Ministry of Commerce, the overall trajectory of China's foreign trade this year showcases an encouraging trend of improved quality alongside stable growth in quantity.

Looking ahead, China's foreign trade appears poised for continued stable growth. A variety of favorable conditions exist, including a slight improvement in global trade dynamics compared to the previous year, and the steady operation of China’s domestic economy. Moreover, tariff reductions stemming from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) continue to yield benefits, alongside deepening practical cooperation initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative. As Professor Zhu notes, the imminent Christmas season is expected to significantly boost exports in the final two months of the year.

Green trade emerges as a new engine driving innovation and structural upgrades in China's foreign trade sector. Trade enterprises are actively adapting to the trend of green commerce by innovating and transforming concepts of low-carbon sustainability into high-quality products, playing a vital role in the global fight against climate change.

"The Ministry of Commerce will cooperate with relevant departments to formulate and issue special policies aimed at expanding green trade," Wang Shouwen stated. It is anticipated that these forthcoming documents will focus on enhancing the green and low-carbon development capabilities of foreign trade firms, expanding the import and export of relevant products, and establishing a robust support system, creating a conducive policy environment for the growth of green trade.

Liu Ye, head of the International Department of the People's Bank of China, highlighted ongoing efforts to bolster financing support for low-carbon transitions. This includes guiding financial institutions to enhance credit support for foreign trade companies engaged in equipment updates and green technology upgrades, while also incentivizing these institutions to extend financial services to logistics and storage sectors linked to foreign trade.

He Hailin, from the Operation Monitoring and Coordination Bureau of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, pointed out that there are specific challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises venturing overseas, such as insufficient capabilities, inadequate information channels, and low risk mitigation abilities. The government is working to connect these firms with service organizations that can provide tailored support.

"The export of high-end manufacturing products like automobiles and ships inevitably brings along the need for subsequent services such as technical maintenance and personnel training, thereby opening up opportunities for China to develop new forms of service trade," Professor Zhu noted. He added that China has reached agreements for visa waivers with 157 countries and regions, which facilitate cross-border business dealings.

Data reveals a significant shift in global trade trends; between 1995 and 2014, the growth rate of global trade was more than double that of global GDP. However, in the last decade, global trade growth has lagged behind GDP growth. Increasingly, globalization is facing countercurrents, with a rise in protectionism and various geopolitical tensions. As China navigates its export growth, it is simultaneously confronted with numerous external challenges, including cost-driven industrial relocation and supply chain shifts, which are exerting substantial competitive pressure on Chinese exports.

According to Xu Yingming, director of the International Market Research Institute at the Ministry of Commerce, these external factors—including trade protectionism and geopolitical conflicts—will continue to exert pressure on China’s foreign trade.

In response to these challenges, it is imperative to accelerate the establishment of a unified national market and expand the domestic market's potential. This involves promoting technological innovation and industrial upgrading to reinforce trade competitiveness. Furthermore, transitioning from a "trade-centric" approach to an "ecological and collaborative" one may prove advantageous by encouraging some goods trade to evolve into investment and other cooperative modalities, thereby transforming strengths in goods trade into those in services and digital trade. It is also critical to adeptly manage trade barriers and disputes while proactively expanding into emerging markets.

Xu emphasized that the current policies launched serve to bolster financial support, enhance new foreign trade dynamics, and strengthen the service guarantees for foreign trade enterprises. By providing greater risk assurance and lower-cost financial backing, these measures are aimed at enhancing firms' abilities to adapt to exchange rate fluctuations and meet the financing needs of new foreign trade formats, thereby promoting the emergence of new growth points in foreign trade.