China’s foreign trade got off to a robust start in 2026, with total goods trade reaching a record 11.84 trillion yuan in the first quarter, up 15% year-on-year — the highest growth rate in nearly five years, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs.

This marked the first time in history that China’s quarterly trade value surpassed the 11-trillion-yuan threshold, underscoring the resilience and competitiveness of the world’s second-largest economy amid evolving global market conditions.

What this means for global partners:

• Strong domestic demand: Import growth outpacing exports by 7.7 percentage points signals robust consumption and production activity within China, creating expanded opportunities for overseas suppliers and partners.
• Tech-driven export strength: The 18.3% surge in mechanical and electrical product exports — which include machinery, electronics, and industrial equipment — reflects the continued upgrade of China’s manufacturing sector toward higher-value production.
• Broad-based regional growth: China’s trade with major partners remained healthy, with ASEAN growing 15.4%, the EU rising 14.6%, and Belt and Road partner countries increasing 14.2%, highlighting diversified market opportunities across multiple regions.

Industry perspective:

The Q1 performance demonstrates that global supply chains continue to rely on China as both a major manufacturing hub and an expanding consumer market. For international trading companies, these figures reaffirm the strategic importance of maintaining strong connections with Chinese suppliers and customers, particularly in the machinery, equipment, and technology sectors.

As China’s economy continues its steady recovery and opening-up trajectory, we remain committed to facilitating seamless trade flows between global partners and leveraging our expertise to navigate the dynamic international trade landscape.