The General Administration of Customs of China announced foreign trade data for September.
Accordingly, in this period, the country's exports increased by 36.3 percent on an annual basis to 447.1 billion dollars, and its imports increased by 31 percent to 313.6 billion dollars.
The foreign trade surplus, calculated as 133.5 billion dollars in September, reached its highest level in the last 20 months. China had a foreign trade surplus of $137.9 billion in January 2025.
Deputy Minister of Administration Vang Cün stated that the increase in exports was due to the intense global demand for artificial intelligence computer systems and electrical infrastructure, which increased the demand for chip and electronic component products.
During this period, China's exports to the USA, one of its largest trading partners, increased by 39.5 percent, to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by 52.2 percent, and to European Union (EU) countries by 25.2 percent.
The country's imports have also been increasing since the beginning of the year. The increase in imports is due to the rise in global energy and raw material prices. The country, whose foreign trade surplus reached 938.1 billion dollars in the 9 months of the year, is expected to have a record surplus this year as well. China's foreign trade surplus reached a record level, exceeding 1.19 trillion dollars in 2025.
On the other hand, inflation data announced in the country indicated that domestic consumption was still weak. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in China increased by 0.9 percent on an annual basis in September, accelerating moderately compared to August, but remained below expectations.
The Producer Price Index (PPI) for September in China increased by 5 percent on an annual basis, recording the fastest increase since June 2022. Expectations were for PPI to increase by 3.8 percent. Rising energy prices were effective in the increase in producer prices in the country.
With these data, it is predicted that the Chinese economic management will be able to implement more policy support in order to achieve both short and long-term growth targets.
"China's foreign trade surplus may break a record again this year"
In her assessment to the AA correspondent, ING Group China Chief Economist Lynn Song stated that China's exports, imports and trade surplus easily exceeded expectations in September.
Stating that basic trade ties are expected to remain stable until the end of the year, Song noted that this will ensure that the main growth engine of the year continues to work.
Pointing out that exports were above expectations in September, Song stated that this year's strong performance was concentrated in the technology and transportation sectors.
According to export destinations, Song stated that exports to the USA continue to recover with the continuation of the trade agreement and said, "China's exports have changed significantly in the last 10 years in terms of both product diversity and destination. As China rises in the value added ranking, the fastest growing export items increasingly include products with higher profit margins, while low-quality manufacturing products are shifting to other places in the region." made his assessment.
Stating that the increase in imports was recorded as 31 percent on an annual basis in September, Song pointed out that this rate was significantly higher than the rate of 28.2 percent in August and was well above expectations.
Sharing the information that import growth in the first three quarters increased by 27.5 percent on an annual basis to 2.43 trillion dollars, Song said, "Compared with New Year's expectations, imports were the biggest surprise of this year. Technology products continued to be the main driver of import growth, which shows that China continues to spend in the ongoing technology race." he said.
Saying that the foreign trade surplus is likely to break a record again this year, Song said, "The import increase at the beginning of the year narrowed the trade surplus in the early period, but the export increase in recent months allows China to further increase last year's record-breaking 1.2 trillion dollar trade surplus this year." he said.
