China's Q1 foreign trade hits record high
2026-04-15 11:42:00 [Print]
China's foreign trade reached a record high for the first quarter of 2026, according to customs data. Total imports and exports of goods amounted to RMB11.84 trillion (USD1.74 trillion), marking a year-on-year increase of 15%.
Exports rose to RMB6.85 trillion (USD1.01 trillion), up 11.9% YoY, while imports climbed to RMB4.99 trillion (USD732 billion), an increase of 19.6% YoY. This marks a record first quarter, with trade topping RMB11 trillion and posting its strongest growth in five years.
Private enterprises continued to play a leading role, with total trade reaching RMB6.78 trillion (USD1 trillion), up 16.2% YoY and accounting for 57.3% of China's total foreign trade.
During the first quarter, China imported 291 million tonnes of energy products and 405 million tonnes of metal ores, representing YoY increases of 4.4% and 13.2%, respectively.
Exports rose to RMB6.85 trillion (USD1.01 trillion), up 11.9% YoY, while imports climbed to RMB4.99 trillion (USD732 billion), an increase of 19.6% YoY. This marks a record first quarter, with trade topping RMB11 trillion and posting its strongest growth in five years.
Private enterprises continued to play a leading role, with total trade reaching RMB6.78 trillion (USD1 trillion), up 16.2% YoY and accounting for 57.3% of China's total foreign trade.
During the first quarter, China imported 291 million tonnes of energy products and 405 million tonnes of metal ores, representing YoY increases of 4.4% and 13.2%, respectively.

