Headline: China’s Trade Surplus Hits US$ 1 Trillion Milestone Amid "Resilience" Claims 📈

• Global Trade Performance China’s trade surplus reached a historic US$ 1.08 Tn in the first 11 months of 2025, surpassing the US$ 1 Tn mark for the first time. Total trade volume with ASEAN (China's largest partner) hit US$ 694 Bn (Jan–Aug 2025), a 9.7% YoY increase. • Sector & Industrial Growth China claims its competitiveness is driven by economies of scale and technological progress rather than "dumping." Key drivers include: Automotive: Leading players like BYD and SAIC Motor are localizing supply chains, with BYD’s Thailand plant reaching a 54% local production ratio. Electronics & Appliances: Implementation of 5G and AI in factories (e.g., Midea in Thailand) has significantly boosted production efficiency. Agriculture: Trade with ASEAN reached US$ 51.3 Bn (Jan–Oct 2025), up 8.9% YoY. China imported over US$ 10 Bn in fruits from the region. • Strategic Implications for the Region China is shifting from "development assistance" to "capacity building" via initiatives like the Luban Workshop, aligning vocational training with national education systems in neighboring countries. • Future Outlook The IMF and Standard Chartered have raised growth forecasts for China in 2026. The upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to focus on "high-quality" Belt and Road cooperation, emphasizing regional connectivity and reduced logistics costs—factors critical for Sri Lanka’s port economy and logistics sectors. _Note: Figures based on provisional data from China’s General Administration of Customs._