China's Foreign Trade Shows Strong Performance and Structural Highlights in First 5 Months
Quick Look
- China's foreign trade grew 15.3% year-on-year in the first five months of 2026, reaching 20.68 trillion yuan.
- Imports rose 20.5% and exports 11.8%.
- Key highlights include strong import potential, optimized export structure with mechanical and electrical products leading, and diversified markets, particularly growth in Belt and Road Initiative countries.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
China's foreign trade data for the first five months of the year has been released. The Ministry of Commerce held a press conference to discuss the performance and structural highlights.
中新网6月11日电 商务部11日举行新闻发布会。会上有记者提问,前5月外贸数据已经发布,请问商务部如何看待我国外贸的总体表现和结构亮点?
商务部新闻发言人何亚东表示,今年以来,面对复杂严峻的国际政治经济形势,中国外贸顶住压力,延续稳中有进的良好态势。1-5月,货物贸易进出口总值20.68万亿元人民币,同比增长15.3%。其中,进口增长20.5%,出口增长11.8%。总的来看,中国外贸亮点纷呈。
一是进口潜力持续释放。1-5月,进口规模创历史同期新高。其中,高新技术产品进口增长31.2%,大宗商品、消费品也保持较快增速。中国超大规模市场优势持续迸发,为贸易伙伴提供了广阔的发展空间。
二是出口结构持续优化。得益于完备高效的产供链体系,中国商品供给稳定、质量可靠、技术先进,全球认可度不断跃升。1-5月,机电产品出口增长18.4%,占比超63%。集成电路出口表现强劲,电动汽车、锂电池、光伏等“新三样”产品持续领跑全球。
三是多元市场纵深推进。中国持续深耕全球市场,贸易布局更趋均衡稳健。1-5月,对共建“一带一路”国家进出口增长13.6%,占比超51%,对东盟、欧盟、非洲、拉美均保持两位数增长,合作共赢的“朋友圈”越来越广。
何亚东指出,无论外部环境多么复杂、如何变幻,中国将坚定不移推进高水平对外开放,以更加务实的举措,稳住出口、扩大进口,为世界经济注入更多的稳定性和正能量。
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
China will continue to promote high-level opening up.
Very likely · Medium term
China will stabilize exports and expand imports.
Very likely · Medium term
Open Questions
- What are the specific challenges faced by Chinese exporters?
- What is the breakdown of import growth by specific commodity types?
- What is the projected outlook for the remainder of the year?
- What specific measures will be taken to further stabilize exports and expand imports?

