China’s import growth outpaced exports by nearly 9 percentage points in the first five months of 2026, underpinned by robust domestic demand and broader market-opening measures, economists and government officials said. Two key policy initiatives will sustain strong import momentum throughout the year. The Ministry of Commerce’s “Big Market for All: Export to China” campaign has broadened access to China’s vast consumer and industrial markets for global exporters. The government’s expanded zero-tariff treatment for all African countries that have diplomatic ties with China, which took effect on May 1, is also expected to support import growth.
China’s foreign trade grew 15.3% year-on-year to CNY20.68 trillion during the January-May period, with exports rising 11.8% and imports jumping 20.5%, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). Wang Xiaohong, Researcher at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges in Beijing, said the strong growth in imports reflected the effectiveness of policies aimed at expanding imports, boosting consumption and advancing high-standard opening-up. For example, China’s imports from Africa surged 15% year-on-year to CNY95.13 billion in May alone, marking the ninth consecutive month of growth. The faster growth in imports also underscored China’s role as a key engine of global demand, creating new opportunities for overseas exporters and supporting trade flows at a time when many economies are facing slower growth, Wang said.
Both China’s imports and exports exceeded expectations in the first five months, supported by rising prices of high-tech products, which lifted the value of both outbound and inbound shipments. Sheana Yue, Senior Economist at British think tank Oxford Economics, said China’s industrial upgrading, technological advances and well-established supply chains have enhanced the competitiveness of Chinese products, helping to sustain trade growth and market share gains despite external uncertainties. Regional trade agreements are also helping both domestic and foreign businesses integrate more deeply into regional supply chains, facilitating both imports and exports, the China Daily reports.
