China Records Rapid Foreign Trade Growth Across First Three Quarters

People's Daily reported details from a press conference where General Administration of Customs spokesperson and vice minister Wang Jun introduced trade conditions. National goods trade expanded substantially, with exports rising 16.4% and imports increasing 22.3% during the first three quarters of 2026. Trade growth accelerated continuously across each successive quarter, increasing 15.3% in the first quarter, 18.3% in the second quarter, and 22.3% in the third quarter. Monthly performance maintained double-digit expansion across 6 consecutive months, highlighted by a 27.5% increase during the month of September. Market diversification strengthened, as trade grew with more than 180 countries and regions worldwide. Transactions with free trade agreement partners expanded 30%, while trade with other APEC economies advanced 23.9%, alongside increases with ASEAN, the European Union, and the United States. Equipment manufacturing drove export growth, while intermediate goods accounted for more than half of aggregate export value. High-tech and green products saw notable rises, with integrated circuits expanding 99.1% alongside growth across electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and wind power generation units and parts.