International: In 2025, the volume of inter-regional passenger movement in China reached 66.86 billion trips, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.5 percent.

The data were released at a regular press briefing held by the Ministry of Transport on the 30th. According to ministry spokesperson Li Ying, passenger traffic recorded growth across most modes of transportation. Railway and civil aviation passenger numbers rose by 6.7 percent and 5.5 percent respectively compared with the previous year. Road passenger traffic increased by 3.3 percent, while waterway passenger volume remained largely unchanged year on year.

Regarding freight transportation, Li Ying stated that China’s total commercial cargo transport volume reached 58.7 billion tonnes in 2025, up 3.2 percent from the previous year. Freight volumes transported by rail, road, waterway, and air increased by 2 percent, 3.4 percent, 3.2 percent, and 13.3 percent respectively. The volume of parcels handled by courier services reached 199 billion pieces, marking a year-on-year increase of 13.7 percent.

Port cargo throughput also registered rapid growth. In 2025, China’s ports handled a total cargo throughput of 18.34 billion tonnes, up 4.2 percent from the previous year. Domestic trade cargo throughput rose by 4 percent, while foreign trade cargo throughput increased by 4.7 percent. Container throughput reached 350 million TEUs, representing a year-on-year growth of 6.8 percent. Of this total, domestic trade container throughput increased by 2.4 percent, while foreign trade container throughput rose by 9.8 percent.

Investment in the transport sector remained at a high level. Li Ying noted that fixed-asset investment in China’s transport sector in 2025 is expected to exceed 3.6 trillion yuan. Investment in railways is projected to reach 901.5 billion yuan, while investment in highways and waterways is expected to surpass 2.6 trillion yuan. Investment in the civil aviation sector is estimated at 120 billion yuan.

“Overall, the economic performance of the transport sector in 2025 remained generally stable, with steady progress achieved amid stability,” Li Ying said.

Source: Swarna-Hashim-Lily, China Media Group.