China’s foreign trade kicked off 2026 with a bang, posting a 15% year-on-year jump in Q1—the strongest quarterly growth since 2021. Total imports and exports hit a record 11.84 trillion yuan ($1.63 trillion), signaling renewed global demand and domestic economic resilience. 🚀
Exports climbed 11.9% to 6.85 trillion yuan, while imports soared 19.6% to 4.99 trillion yuan. Private enterprises drove the surge, accounting for 57.3% of total trade after a 16.2% growth spurt. "This reflects China’s deepening integration into global supply chains," said Wang Jun of China’s General Administration of Customs.
Analysts say the numbers hint at stabilizing global markets and tech-driven upgrades in Chinese manufacturing. With private firms now dominating trade, expect more innovation-led growth in sectors like EVs and renewables. 🔋🌱
