China's foreign trade recorded an 18.3% year-on-year increase during the first two months of 2026, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs on March 10. The figures signal a robust start to the year for the world's second-largest economy, with exports climbing 19.2% and imports rising 17.1% compared to the same period in 2025.
Analysts attribute the growth to sustained demand for Chinese manufactured goods and strategic trade partnerships across Asia. Key sectors driving export momentum include advanced electronics, renewable energy equipment, and electric vehicles. The import surge reflects strengthening domestic consumption and industrial activity within the Chinese mainland.
"This upward trajectory demonstrates the resilience of cross-border supply chains and China's pivotal role in global trade networks," stated a customs spokesperson during the data release. Notably, trade with ASEAN members and the ROK showed particularly strong gains, while exchanges with overseas investors from the Taiwan region and Hong Kong maintained steady growth.
Economists are closely monitoring how these early indicators might influence Asia's broader economic landscape this year, particularly in light of evolving trade policies and regional cooperation frameworks.
