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China's total goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms rose to 33.61 trillion yuan (about $4.73 trillion) in the first nine months of 2025, up 4% year-on-year, official data showed Monday. The growth rate accelerated from an increase of 3.5% registered in the first eight months of the year, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). Goods exports led the overall expansion during the January-September period, surging 7.1% year-on-year to 19.95 trillion yuan, while imports stood at 13.66 trillion yuan, a slight decrease of 0.2%, Xinhua News Agency reported. In September alone, China's goods imports and exports increased by 8% year-on-year to 4.04 trillion yuan — marking the highest monthly increase so far this year. In the first nine months of 2025, China's goods trade with Belt and Road partner countries totaled 17.37 trillion yuan — 6.2% higher than a year earlier, GAC data revealed. Trade with ASEAN, Latin America, Africa and Central Asia grew by 9.6%, 3.9%, 19.5% and 16.7% year-on-year, respectively, while that with other economies in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation increased by 2%.

South Korea posted a record current account surplus for any August, despite weak exports, driven by declining imports. Korean (Yonhap) News Agency said the country's current account surplus reached $9.15 billion in August, extending its surplus streak to the 28th consecutive month, according to data compiled by the Bank of Korea (BOK). South Korea has reported a current account surplus every month since May 2023. It also marked the highest figure on record for any August, though the surplus narrowed from the $10.78 billion posted in July. During the first eight months of this year, the cumulative current account surplus stood at $69.3 billion, compared with $55.94 billion recorded during the same period last year. The goods account posted a $9.4 billion surplus in August, the second largest for the month on record. Exports fell 1.8% on-year to $56.44 billion amid weak demand for steel and chemical products, while imports dropped 7.3% to $47.04 billion on lower global energy prices.