The Chinese mainland's foreign trade sector has delivered a robust performance this spring, with April data showing growth that outpaced market expectations. According to the General Administration of Customs, total foreign trade grew by 14.2% year-on-year in April, reaching 4.38 trillion yuan (approximately $634.06 billion).
This growth was fueled by both imports and exports. Exports rose by 9.8% to 2.48 trillion yuan, while imports saw a significant climb of 20.6%, totaling 1.9 trillion yuan. The momentum extends across the first four months of 2026, with total trade reaching 16.23 trillion yuan—a 14.9% increase compared to the same period last year.
Shifting Trade Landscapes
Analysis of trading partners reveals a diversifying economic landscape. Trade with ASEAN countries grew by 15.7% to 2.75 trillion yuan between January and April, while trade with the European Union expanded by 13.2% to 2.01 trillion yuan. In contrast, trade with the US experienced a decline of 12.9%, totaling 1.25 trillion yuan.
Further strengthening these ties are the Belt and Road partner countries, whose trade with the Chinese mainland totaled 8.28 trillion yuan, marking a 13.5% increase.
The Rise of Green Technology
A standout highlight of the recent data is the explosive growth of low-carbon products. The Chinese mainland is cementing its role as a global leader in green technology, with exports of electric vehicles surging by 68.1%, lithium batteries by 43.2%, and wind turbine units by 40.7%. Additionally, industrial robot exports rose by 30%, showcasing a strong shift toward high-tech manufacturing.
Mechanical and electrical products remain the backbone of the export economy, accounting for 63.5% of total exports with a value of 5.92 trillion yuan, a 17.6% increase. While agricultural exports edged up by 2%, labor-intensive products saw a slight dip of 2.6%.
Diverse Business Contributions
The growth is balanced across different business types. Private enterprises led the way with a 15.9% increase in trade, totaling 9.31 trillion yuan. This was followed closely by overseas-funded businesses, which saw trade rise by 15.4% to 4.72 trillion yuan, while state-owned enterprises contributed a steady growth of 9.8%, totaling 2.16 trillion yuan.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
