A China-Europe freight train loaded with containers prepares to depart from a logistics base in Lianyungang, East China's Jiangsu Province, on May 22, 2025. Official data showed that 1,792 China-Europe freight trains operated across China in April, a 9 percent year-on-year increase. Photo: VCG

The Europe Union (EU) remained China's second-largest trading partner in the first five months of 2025, with total trade reaching 2.3 trillion yuan ($317 billion), up 2.9 percent year-on-year, and accounting for 12.8 percent of China's total trade. Exports to the EU stood at 1.57 trillion yuan, marking a 7.7 percent increase, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs on Monday.

In the first four months of 2025, China's total trade with the EU reached 1.78 trillion yuan, up 1.1 percent year-on-year, according to China customs.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in a phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on April 8 that China is ready to work with the European side to promote the sound and steady development of China-EU relations, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Li said that China-EU relations are showing a momentum of steady growth. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the EU, and the development of bilateral relations faces important opportunities, he said.