China’s foreign trade grew 15% year-on-year to CNY11.84 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, as faster import growth of 19.6% outpaced export growth of 11.9%, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). The latest trade data points to solid economic fundamentals and the growing role of domestic demand in supporting overall trade growth, highlighting China’s expanding market as a shared opportunity for global businesses. Wang Jun, Deputy Director of GAC, said that China is positioning itself not only as the “world’s factory”, but also as a major global market despite mounting global economic instability. This positioning is also reflected in China’s policy efforts aimed at expanding imports and deepening market opening. Wang said the GAC will continue to improve clearance supervision and services to support import growth and help turn China’s vast market into a shared opportunity for the world.
Lorenzo Riccardi, Chairman of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China, said China’s push to expand imports and deepen market opening reflects a structural shift toward more balanced and demand-driven growth, reinforcing its role as a stabilizing force in global trade. Poh-Yian Koh, President of FedEx China, said that as domestic consumption continues to upgrade and supply chains become more diversified, China is increasingly seen not only as a manufacturing hub, but also as a critical destination for global goods and services. The “Big Market for All: Export to China” initiative launched by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), features more than 100 events this year designed to help overseas suppliers connect with Chinese buyers and bring a wider range of high-quality foreign products and services into the Chinese market.
At the company level, Ningbo Today Food Co, a tuna processor based in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, sources frozen tuna from overseas, processes it domestically into canned, freeze-dried and fish oil products, and exports to more than 30 countries and regions. The company’s imports topped CNY40 million and its exports exceeded CNY60 million in the first quarter, statistics from Ningbo Customs showed. “By buying globally and selling globally, we meet domestic demand while supplying high-quality products to international markets,” said company president Xia Di.
Similar import momentum is also visible in other food-processing inputs. Huangpu Customs in Guangdong province oversaw 64,800 metric tons of palm oil imports in January-March, up 91.3% year-on-year, as palm oil, valued for its thermal and oxidative stability, is widely used in frying and baking, the China Daily reports.
