Beijing, December 31, 2025 –
China positioned itself as a key driver of global economic growth in 2025, despite facing economic headwinds and increasing international challenges.
- China expanded its visa waiver programme to 48 countries and visa-free transit to 55, resulting in a more than 50 percent increase in visa-free entries in the first three quarters of the year.
- China acted as a “main engine” for the world economy amid slowing global growth, unilateralism, and protectionism.
- Non-financial direct investment in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries grew by over 20 percent year-on-year.
- China finalized and signed the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol and continued its partnership actions with African and Latin American nations.
- China extended zero tariffs to all least developed countries and african countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.
China has acted as a “main engine” for the world economy amid a period of slowing global growth, unchecked unilateralism and protectionism, and significant growth challenges, according to Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking at the Symposium on the International Situation and China’s Foreign Relations on December 30, 2025.
Despite “mounting economic pressure,” China has continued to pursue innovation-led and high-quality development, providing “underpinning for the world economy with its strong resilience and dynamism,” Wang Yi stated. The country has also sought to share opportunities through increased openness, including “unilateral opening up.”
Belt and Road Expansion
Table of Contents
China vigorously promoted its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) throughout the past year, signing cooperation agreements and action plans with countries in South Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and Central asia. Non-financial direct investment in BRI partner countries grew by over 20 percent year-on-year,according to Wang Yi.
Several key infrastructure projects progressed, including the revitalization of the Tazara Railway – a symbol of China-Africa cooperation – and the opening of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, intended to improve regional connectivity. The China Railway Express completed more than 120,000 freight services between China and europe, facilitating trade along these “golden routes for two-way cooperation.”
Promoting Global Development
China hosted several international trade expos in 2025, including the China International Import Expo, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, and the China International Consumer Products Expo. The country also launched full customs operations at the Hainan Free Trade Port.
Furthermore, China finalized and signed the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol and continued its ten partnership actions with African nations. Five programs were carried out with LAC countries, five cooperation frameworks were developed with Arab states, and seven cooperation platforms were established with Pacific Island countries. The first ASEAN-China-GCC Summit was also successfully held, fostering closer development partnerships, Wang Yi noted.
Support for the Global South
China extended a helping hand to developing nations by applying zero tariffs to all least developed countries and African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. China also announced it would not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO),despite maintaining its developing country status,according to Wang Yi.
Increased people-to-People exchanges
China broadened its visa exemption list, extending unilateral visa waivers to 48 countries and visa-free transit to 55. This resulted in over 20 million visa-free entries in the first three quarters of 2025, a year-on-year increase of more than 50 percent, Wang Yi said. This expansion aims to foster greater people-to-people exchanges and strengthen international understanding.
Why It Matters
China’s continued emphasis on economic cooperation and development assistance, notably through initiatives like the Belt and Road, signals a deliberate effort to shape the global economic landscape and present an alternative to Western-led development models. The increased visa-free access also reflects a strategy to enhance its soft power and foster stronger diplomatic ties.As global economic growth slows and geopolitical tensions rise, China’s role as a major economic engine and its commitment to supporting developing nations will likely become increasingly significant, potentially reshaping international trade and investment patterns.
