BEIJING - China's foreign trade has started this year strongly, with the total value of traded goods showing a year-on-year growth of 18.3 % in January and February, the latest official data showed.

According to data released on Tuesday by the General Administration of Customs (GAC), the total value of trade in goods during the period reached 7.73 trillion yuan (US$1.12 trillion).

Exports increased by 19.2 % to 4.62 trillion yuan and imports increased by 17.1 % to 3.11 trillion yuan.

In the first two months of 2026, China's exports of high-tech and high-value-added mechanical and electronic goods grew by 24.3 % year-on-year.

Strong consumer demand, boosted by the extended Spring Festival holidays, also increased import demand. Imports of mechanical and electronic goods, iron ore and crude oil posted double-digit annual growth.

Resilient business growth

China's foreign trade continues to demonstrate resilience and momentum in 2026, following last year's 3.8 % year-on-year growth.

Analysts pointed out that since the beginning of the year, various Chinese regions and authorities have been actively promoting foreign trade, and many companies have been trying to win contracts and expand into new markets.

Huang Qunhui of the Institute of Economics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the strong start to this year has created a solid foundation for China's foreign trade prospects in 2026.

The transformation and upgrading of Chinese industry and the expansion of domestic demand have boosted imports and added new momentum to the quality development of foreign trade.

Ministr obchodu Wang Wentao said at a press conference during the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress that China's foreign trade maintains the pace and character of 2025, but the external environment remains „complex and challenging.“.

„Recent escalating geopolitical conflicts have affected the international economic order and global industrial and supply chains, making the situation even more volatile and uncertain,“ vysvětlil Wang.

Diverse business partners

China's largest trading partner remains the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with a trade value of over 1.24 trillion yuan, an increase of 20.3 % year-on-year.

The European Union follows with trade worth 998.94 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 19.9 %. China's trade with Latin America and Africa grew by 19.7 % and 34.2 % respectively. With the US, trade was 609.71 billion yuan, down 16.9 %.

Trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative reached 4.02 trillion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 20 %.

Wang also said China will promote balanced trade growth by stabilizing exports and expanding opportunities in the domestic market. He promised to increase imports of agricultural products, premium consumer goods, advanced equipment and key components.

It also plans to accelerate the development of digital and green trade and promote the export of artificial intelligence products and renewable energy equipment to create new drivers of foreign trade.

CMG