China’s Foreign Trade Posts Strong Growth, Reaches 34.78 Trillion Yuan in First Eight Months

Dragon Media News Desk

China’s foreign trade maintained strong momentum in the first eight months of 2026, with total goods imports and exports reaching 34.78 trillion yuan, equivalent to about $5.18 trillion.

According to official customs data, China’s total goods trade increased 17.6 percent year-on-year from January to August. The growth rate was 0.3 percentage points faster than that recorded during the first seven months, indicating that the country’s external trade continued to gain momentum.

Exports during the eight-month period reached 20.17 trillion yuan, rising 14.6 percent from a year earlier. Imports expanded even faster, increasing 22 percent to 14.61 trillion yuan.

The particularly strong growth in imports highlights the expanding role of China not only as a major global manufacturing and export hub, but also as one of the world’s largest and most dynamic markets for international goods and commodities.

China’s goods trade also recorded robust growth in August alone. Total imports and exports during the month reached 4.65 trillion yuan, an increase of 19.8 percent compared with the same month last year.

Exports in August grew 18.6 percent year-on-year, while imports climbed 21.7 percent. This marked the fourth consecutive month in which both imports and exports achieved double-digit growth.

Another notable trend is that the year-on-year growth rate of imports has exceeded that of exports for six consecutive months. The figures suggest that China’s expanding domestic demand and industrial activity are generating increasing opportunities for trading partners around the world.

The acceleration in overall trade growth compared with the first seven months also points to continued resilience in China’s external economic sector. Sustained double-digit growth in both imports and exports reflects strong commercial activity and expanding links with international markets.

The rapid increase in imports is especially significant for China’s global trading partners, as it indicates growing access to the vast Chinese market for foreign producers, exporters and businesses.

China’s combination of expanding exports and even faster import growth also illustrates the increasingly interconnected nature of its economy with global supply chains and international commerce.

At a time when the global economy continues to face uncertainties and trade-related challenges, China’s strong foreign trade performance underscores its continuing importance to global economic growth and international commerce.

The latest figures show that China remains not only a major production and export centre, but also an increasingly important destination for goods from across the world, reinforcing its role as a key engine of global trade.