Published on: 2026-07-21
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
In the first half of 2026, China’s foreign trade showed impressive results. According to data from the General Administration of Customs, published on July 14, the total volume of imports and exports of goods in China reached 25.47 trillion yuan, exceeding the 25 trillion yuan mark for the first time. The growth rate of 16.9% was the highest for the same period since 2022, further strengthening China’s leading position as the world’s largest trading power.
Against the backdrop of a sluggish recovery of the global economy, increasing protectionism, persistent geopolitical tensions, and external uncertainty, China’s foreign trade indicators, which showed growth contrary to global trends, look particularly impressive. What is the secret of the resilience of China’s foreign trade? Why did import growth significantly outpace export growth? What changes have occurred in the structure of China’s global trading partners?
Why does Chinese export remain stable despite the challenging external environment?
Since the beginning of the year, the growth rate of Chinese exports has consistently exceeded 10%, with exports maintaining positive momentum for 11 consecutive quarters. In the context of a general slowdown in global trade, this long-term sustainable growth is by no means accidental. Its root cause lies in the precise alignment of “Chinese production” with the diverse needs of the global market.
Relying on the advantages of a complete production chain and a developed system of related industries, Chinese industry is capable of quickly responding to market needs such as global production modernization, the “green” transition, and infrastructure expansion, enabling it to provide indispensable export competitiveness. The rapid growth of the global artificial intelligence industry and the explosive demand for computing equipment and intelligent devices have driven double-digit growth in the export of Chinese electronic components and computer parts; this category alone accounted for 6.9 percentage points of export growth. Chinese AI-based bionic robots have successfully entered foreign markets, being supplied to more than 90 countries and regions worldwide — intelligent products are becoming a new driving force in foreign trade.
In the context of the global transition to a low-carbon economy, Chinese “green” products continue to lead international markets. The growth rates of lithium battery and wind power equipment exports exceed 35%, exports of new energy source vehicles have grown by 68.7%, and the export of electric trains and electric scooters is steadily increasing — the “green” foreign trade sector continues to expand.
Moreover, a full-fledged industrial system allows China to quickly close sudden gaps in global supply and demand. Against the backdrop of tension in the Middle East, there remains a shortage of chemical products worldwide; Chinese exports of organic chemicals increased by 25.1%, and primary forms of plastics by 35%, which effectively helped to compensate for the deficit on the international market and ensure the stable operation of global production chains.
The Growing Gap in Growth Rates: Why is Import Steadily Outpacing Export?
The most notable structural change in foreign trade in the first half of the year was a significant excess of import growth rates over export growth — the difference reached 8.7 percentage points. This structural shift is not a short-term oscillation of statistical data, but a natural result of the interaction between a large domestic market, the recovery of the national economy, and an active openness policy.
As the world’s largest industrial power and the second-largest consumer market, China possesses a unique scale and resilience in its import market. China has held the second place globally in import volume for 17 consecutive years, its share of global imports increasing from 7.9% to approximately 10%, making it an indispensable source of growth in world trade.
As the quality of industrial production improves and consumer demand recovers in the domestic market, the import of raw materials, components, and consumer goods is expanding. In the first half of the year, imports of metal ores increased by 22.6%, electronic components by 45.6%, vegetable oil by 19.2%, and seafood products by 24.1%.
At the same time, China continues to expand openness at a high level: currently zero tariffs are applied to 63 countries. Uninterrupted channels for the import of quality goods are ensured through various government open-type platforms. Many foreign agricultural and food products have been granted permission to be imported into China, with imports from more than 150 countries and regions showing positive growth.
Adjustment of the foreign trade “circle of friends”: which items have changed?
In the course of the consistent implementation of the market diversification strategy, China’s structure of foreign trade partners continues to optimize, dependence on individual markets has been completely overcome, and the global trade and economic structure is becoming more balanced and stable.
The countries participating in the “Belt and Road” initiative have become a key pillar of China’s foreign trade. In the first half of the year, bilateral trade reached 12.97 trillion yuan, an increase of 14.8% year-on-year, and its share in total foreign trade turnover exceeded 50%. At the same time, the growth rate of trade with neighboring countries was 20.6%, indicating a deepening of regional economic cooperation.
Partners in free trade agreements (FTAs) have become the most powerful driver of growth in foreign trade. China’s imports and exports with respect to 31 partner countries under FTAs increased by 28.1%, their share in foreign trade rose to 46.5%, significantly exceeding overall figures and effectively offsetting the pressure related to volatility in European and American markets and trade barriers.
Traditional markets in Europe and America maintain a solid foundation and stable dynamics. In the first half of the year, the total volume of trade in goods between China and the United States amounted to 2 trillion yuan, or 7.9% of China’s total foreign trade turnover; China’s trade with the EU continues steady growth — in the first half of the year, China’s imports and exports to the EU increased by 10.2%. At the same time, growth dynamics in new markets, such as Latin America and Africa, are impressive: growth amounted to 16.2% and 19.6% respectively, opening up new prospects for foreign trade growth.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It is an accurate report of what the source asserts and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.