China's foreign trade

China's economy

Main article: Economy of China

Belt and Road Initiative

Main article: Belt and Road (BRI, New Silk Road)

Trade by destination

Trade with Russia

Main article: Trade between Russia and China

Trade with the United States

Main article: China-US trade

Foreign Trade by Segment

Import and export of medical devices in China

Main article: Import and export of medical devices in China

Import and export of toys in China

Main article: Import and export of toys in China

2024

Record 10-month trade surplus. Most are formed in the United States

The growth of Chinese exports in the first 9 months of 2024 remains at a high level.

In September, Russia's purchases of Chinese goods reached a record.

At the same time, supplies to many markets are falling, demand in the United States and the EU is slowing down.

Earlier, China's trade surplus hit a record high in June 2024 as exports surged and imports shrank.

Exports of cars and ships set a record in September

Despite a slowdown in China's overall export growth in September 2024, auto and ship exports hit record highs this month, suggesting rapid changes in the country's industry that are weakening other Asian and EU suppliers.

Export growth to Central Asia and Transcaucasia

Total exports China to, and Armenia Azerbaijan Georgia reached $1.1 billion in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $0.4 billion in the first quarter of 2019. This 150% growth is clearly not to meet any boom in domestic demand in the Caucasus. All these goods are sent to, Russia said chief economist IMF Robin Brooks in May 2024.

Steel export growth

The surge in Chinese steel exports has seen prices in Europe fall below cost of production by September 2024, with the region's steel companies calling for a new, comprehensive tariff system.

The share of the yuan in foreign trade is growing rapidly

China's yuan use in cross-border deals hit an all-time high in 2024 as closer ties with Russia contribute to Beijing's efforts to internationalize its currency and reduce reliance on the US dollar.

The West has taken care of China's restrictions on the export of raw materials for semiconductors. Prices are rising

China's control over the export of critical semiconductor materials hits supply chains and by the summer of 2024 raises Western fears about the lack of raw materials for the production of microcircuits and military optical equipment.

China imposed the restrictions, which it says protect its "national security and interests," in 2023, in response to U.S. restrictions.

EU imposes barrage duties on electric vehicles from China, as local companies are not able to compete

The EU from July 4, 2024 introduced import duties on electric cars from China, the EC said in a statement.

"The individual duties applicable to the three selected Chinese producers are as follows: BYD: 17.4%; Geely: 19,9%; SAIC: 37,6%".

"Other electric car manufacturers who cooperated in the investigation but were not included in the sample are subject to a weighted average duty of 20.8%, companies that did not cooperate in the investigation are subject to duties of 37.6%."

According to the source, the new duties "will be added to the 10% already in force for many years, since we are talking about duties in connection with subsidies." This means in practice that import duties on some Chinese electric cars in the EU can be up to 50%.

Export growth to Belarus

Continued trade slump with EU

Decline in exports of electric vehicles, batteries and solar panels

Growth in exports to Russia and Central Asia, with a general decline in exports at the beginning of the year

2023

Second place in imports ($2.55 trillion)

First place in exports ($3.38 trillion)

Export decline for the first time since 2016

China's 2023 exports fell for the first time since 2016 as demand cooled.

China's exports to the South African countries exceeded those to the United States.

China's exports to emerging economies exceeded those to the United States and its satellite countries.

China remains the largest trading partner of African countries.

Slowing global economy, geopolitical tensions negatively affected China's trade.

Access to the first place in the export of cars in the world thanks to Russia

At the end of 2023, China became the world's largest exporter of cars for the first time. This is due to the rapid growth in the supply of Chinese cars to the Russian market against the background of the current geopolitical situation, due to which many foreign brands left the Russian Federation. This is stated in a study by the Chinese Association of Automakers (CAAM), the results of which were released at the end of December 2023.

According to CAAM estimates, 4.41 million cars were exported from China from January to November 2023, which is 58% more than in the same period of the previous year. Thus, according to this indicator, China for the first time outstripped Japan, which during the period under review exported 3.99 million vehicles (+ 15% compared to 2022).

China produced a record 30 million cars in 2023.

The Chinese Passenger Car Association estimated that 5.26 million cars were sold abroad in 2023, and said that this is probably almost 1 million more than Japan's exports.

It is noted that it was Japan that for a long time occupied the first place in the world ranking of car exporters, only in 2016 losing the leadership of Germany. However, in 2023, the situation changed. China took the lead thanks to large volumes of supplies to Russia: in the first 11 months of 2023, approximately 730 thousand Chinese cars entered the Russian market, which is seven times more than in the previous year. Chery Automobile and Great Wall Motor supplied in the Russian Federation mainly cars with a gasoline engine, including medium-sized crossovers and SUVs.

The second largest overseas market for Chinese automakers in 2023 was Mexico. The volume of deliveries of cars from China to this country on an annualized basis rose by 71%, reaching 330 thousand units. Chinese companies seek to form a customer base in Mexico, which will subsequently serve as a springboard for possible expansion into the US and Canadian markets.^[1]

Affordable electric vehicles from China are actively penetrating into European countries, leaving behind one of the largest industries in the region.

In the first quarter of 2023, China for the first time came out on the 1st place in the export of cars, pushing from Japan this position. Almost 40% of its supplies abroad were electric vehicles. According to Chinese data, Tokyo the growth of Chinese indicators was also affected by a sharp increase in the supply of cars in. Russia According to Chinese data, in January-March, car exports increased by 58 percent compared to the same period last year.

Countries in Asia and Latin America - the main buyers of steel from China

Main article: Metallurgy in China

Record volume of exports to Kazakhstan

China's exports to Kazakhstan reached a new all-time high in December 2023.

Trade decline with the EU by 7.6% in 11 months to $716 billion

Trade China with the EU in January - November 2023 fell by 7.6% to $716.34 billion.

China lifts trade restrictions against Lithuania

In November 2023, it became known that China was lifting trade restrictions against Lithuania. The "economic coercion" regime, which was challenged in the WTO, including the exclusion of Lithuania "from the customs system so that no business can export products to China," has ceased, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielus Landsbergis said. Despite the fact that the blocking of goods has already been lifted, the business still fears to conduct trade with China, he said.

Decline in trade with Germany

China is losing its importance as a market for German exporters, with data showing a steady decline in its share of total exports, a trend that will continue as Berlin and Beijing reevaluate their economic ties.

In the first half of 2023, exports to China amounted to only 6.2% of the total German exports - the lowest share since 2016.

The emergence of China as a market economy in the 2000s gave a powerful boost to German companies and has since contributed greatly to the overall state of Germany's economy. However, this growth driver for Europe's largest economy will weaken in the coming years.

Export growth to Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Iran

China hardens export conditions for metals to make processors

From August 1, 2023, it became known that China it strengthened control over the export of gallium and germany, two central components for the semiconductor sector. The authorities countries warned of upcoming changes back in July 2023. Similar measures were taken in response to how Washington he tried to cut access Beijing to the latest micro technologies.processors

As of August 2023, China holds a high position in the global markets of gallium and germany, producing 80% and 60% of these materials, respectively, according to the Association for Critical Raw Materials (CRMA). These elements are classified as "secondary metals," that is, the elements are usually produced as a byproduct of other manufacturing processes.

If you do not provide us with chips, we will not provide you with materials to create them.

According to regulations, gallium and German exports from China now require specialized licenses. Gallium and germanium are used not only in the manufacture of chips, but also play an important role in the military industry.

It is worth noting that the Netherlands, which houses semiconductor equipment maker ASML as well as the US and Japan, has already imposed its own restrictions on semiconductor technology exports to China.

It is noted that the imposed restrictions on China's exports can negatively affect the global semiconductor industry, and especially the American segment. Leading managers from Qualcomm, Intel and Nvidia have expressed concern that restrictions on the supply of their products to China could harm business.

In particular, Qualcomm receives more than 60% of its revenue in China by supplying mobile chips to local smartphone manufacturers. The Chinese market is the largest for Intel and brings the company about 25% of all revenue. NVIDIA is also heavily dependent on China, earning about 20% of its revenue in the Chinese market.

Western leaders expressed concern that all restrictions could slow the pace of development in the field of semiconductor technology and information technology, as well as deal a blow to the global semiconductor industry due to the reduction in the supply of gallium and Germany^[2].

China to limit drone exports

China has decided to restrict the export of drones and drone production equipment in order to "protect national security and interests." This was announced on July 31, 2023 by Reuters with reference to the country's Ministry of Commerce.

The restrictions are due to take effect on September 1, 2023. They will affect some of the equipment, including a number of drone engines, lasers, communications equipment and anti-drone systems.

Some of the drones not intended for military purposes will also fall under export control. The export of any civilian drones for military purposes is prohibited, the representative of the department emphasized. Thus, China shows itself as a "responsible country," he said.^[3]

China to drastically cut overseas metal supplies for semiconductors

On July 4, 2023, it became known that China it restricts the export of metals for semiconductors and. electric vehicles This is reportedly a response to pressure that wants to United States contain China's technological progress. Experts warn of future disruptions to global supply chains and rising tensions between. countries

From August 1, 2023, China will have a much tougher control over the export of a number of gallium and germanium-based products used in high-tech ones. industries China produces most of these metals in the world, and the main importers are,,, and Japan Germany Netherlands the United States France.

Chinese exporting companies will need to go through procedures to obtain additional export licenses. And any domestic company that produces exports in excess of the allowed volumes will be punished, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

China has hit American trade restrictions where it's really felt, "said Peter Arkell, chairman of China's Global Mining Association.

Some in the industry have previously expressed concern that China could impose restrictions on the export of rare earth metals, which are paramount to the production of electric vehicles and military equipment. China is a major producer of rare earth metals.

Gallium and germanium are just a few of the many minor metals that are nevertheless extremely important for various technical products. China is the dominant producer of most of these metals. It's a fantasy to suggest that another country could replace China in the short or even medium term, "Arkell said.

The above restrictions will affect not only exports to the United States, but any deliveries abroad in principle. A number of foreign companies, against the background of the latest news, are already trying to stock up on rare earth metals for future use, before the official adoption of restrictions, which is why metal prices have significantly increased. And some importers are looking for opportunities to bypass these restrictions or even alternative suppliers. However, this can hardly be done so simply.

Meanwhile, shares of some metallurgical companies and producers of rare earth metals are going up, as their investors bet in advance that additional restrictions could be imposed.

China's control over exports comes as Washington considers imposing new restrictions on the supply of high-tech chips to China, as well as selling chipmaking equipment to Chinese chipmakers.

Beijing last made a retaliatory move against U.S. pressure on the chip industry in May 2023, when it banned some domestic sectors from buying products from U.S. memory maker Micron.

The risk of a rapid escalation of tensions between the United States and China is not small. If this action does not change the dynamics of relations between countries, one should expect even more restrictions on the export of rare earth metals, - said analysts at Jefferies China to[4].

China is the world's largest importer of rice - 4.4 million tons

Russia, Mexico and Belgium lead in car imports from China

In the first 5 months of 2023 China , it exported Russia many more cars than anywhere else.

Australia, Canada biggest wheat suppliers to China

Although China said in 2022 that it would allow wheat imports from all regions of Russia, trade in 2023 is hampered by a number of problems, including phytosanitary norms and transport difficulties.

Slow recovery of imports from North Korea

Yuan use in cross-border deals in China outpaces dollar use for the first time

The share of the yuan in cross-border payments and receipts China in rose to a record high of 48% at the end of March 2023 from almost zero in 2010. dollar The share fell to 47% from 83% over the same period, the data showed.

Russia, Mexico and Belgium are the largest importers of cars from China at the beginning of the year

3x jump in imports from Italy

In a little more than a year, according to the results of February 2023, Italy's exports to China tripled. The problem is that even experts find it difficult to explain why.

In February, the volume of supplies to China exceeded 3 billion euros (3.3 billion) dollars , which is 131% more than a year earlier. That followed another 137% jump a month earlier. For comparison, in January 2022 Italy , exported goods and services worth about 1 billion euros to economy No. 2 in the world.

Europe outpaces China in exports of goods to the United States

2022

China's share of global exports - 18%

China's exports to Belt and Road project countries exceeded exports to the US, EU and Japan

Main article: Belt and Road (BRI, New Silk Road)

Perhaps China's exports to developed markets went through third countries.

Trade with the EU exceeded 800 billion euros

Trade surplus with Germany and Italy doubles

Finance Minister Christian Lindner is concerned that Germany's economy is becoming too dependent on China and has called for closer trade ties with democracies to counter the addiction.

"Dangerous development: Germany's trade deficit with China more than doubled in 2022," Lindner wrote on Twitter.

"We have to learn from the experience with Russia." Germany "urgently" needs to rethink the situation and focus on freer trade with "valuable partners."

China's trade surplus with Italy has also soared.

Saudi Arabia and Russia are the largest importers of oil to China

Russia in 2022 took second place in oil supplies to China (86.25 million tons of oil). On the first - Saudi Arabia (87.49 million tons).

China accounts for 99% of imports and 69% of DPRK exports

China chip imports fall for first time since 2004

On January 13, 2023, the General Customs Administration of China released data according to which the volume of supplies of integrated circuits to the Celestial Empire in 2022 decreased. The fall was recorded for the first time in almost two decades: the last time the decline was noted in 2004.

It is estimated that approximately 538.4 billion chips were delivered to the PRC in 2022. This is 15% less than in 2021, when shipments amounted to approximately 635.6 billion units. It is noted that in 2019, 2020 and 2021. deliveries showed an increase of 6.6%, 22% and 17%, respectively (on an annualized basis).

The decline in chip imports to China comes amid tougher sanctions from the United States. In 2022, US authorities imposed restrictions on the export of some types of semiconductors used in artificial intelligence systems and supercomputers. The measures are aimed at discouraging China's efforts to develop its own chip industry and strengthen its military capabilities.

China, as noted, is forced to reduce purchases of equipment for the production of microchips amid weakening demand for electronics and export restrictions. USA In addition, the PRC suspends large-scale investments aimed at creating a chip industry to compete with the United States. According to reports, due Bloomberg to the ongoing pandemic COVID-19 , the Chinese economic sector is experiencing additional pressures. Meanwhile, integrated circuits remain the largest item in China's imports. According to a study China by the National Bureau of Statistics, domestic production of microchips in November 2022 fell by 15.2% compared to the same month in 2021. The final result was approximately 26 billion units.^[5]

The volume of foreign trade transactions in yuan increased by 37% to 7.92 trillion yuan

The volume of transactions in Chinese currency in the implementation of cross-border trade of the PRC in 2022 increased by about 37%, to 7.92 trillion yuan. The government requires the country's financial institutions to intensify mutual settlements with other states in Chinese currency.

China overtakes Germany to become second largest car exporter after Japan

Overtook in 2022 China , Germany becoming the second largest Japan after the exporter of cars in the world. Exports accounted for 11.5% of the total production volume, China or 27 million cars.

Imports of industrial robots in China were three times higher than exports

In 2022, China imported industrial robots worth approximately $2 billion, while exports were three times less - about $610 million. Such data at the end of January 2023 was released by the Chinese Robotics Alliance (CRIA). Read more here.

Cutting imports of chip machines due to US restrictions

China is buying fewer chipmaking machines due to the imposition of US restrictions.

Australian imports continue to rise despite China restrictions

Many exporters Australia found other markets after blocking in. China

Reduced furniture exports

Take-off of rare earth metal supplies to the EU for the production of military equipment and electronics

The main railway route for freight trains passes through the territory of Russia, which carry rare earth metals from China to the West, necessary in the production of microchips, electronics and other modern military equipment.

EU data shows that Russian railways are a key conduit for strategic metals. China supplies more than 90% of the volume of rare earth metals used in the EU. For nine months of 2022, the volume of railway supplies through Russia increased to 36 thousand tons, which is twice as much as for the entire 2021. At the same time, raw materials were transported, among other things, by Russian Railways trains, despite the company's inclusion in the EU sanctions list.

Trade with Ukraine halves in the 1st half of the year

In the first half of 2022, the volume of trade between China and Ukraine fell by almost half: trade between the countries decreased by 46.6%, to $5.79 billion.

The EU and the United States are the largest export destinations from China

2021

Rapid growth in trade with the EU

China's largest trading partners: the United States, Japan and South Korea

China is among the largest arms exporters in 5 years with a share of 4.6%

China's foreign trade in 2021 grew by 30.3%, to a record $6.05 trillion

In general, China's foreign trade for 2021 increased by 30.3%, to a record $6.05 trillion, follows from the data of the Main Customs Administration of the PRC, released on January 14, 2022.

US falls several times behind China on trade with Africa

China strikes Lithuania off its customs register for cooperating with Taiwan

In early December 2021, China deleted Lithuania from the customs register, Lithuania will no longer be able to issue its goods through Chinese customs.

Vilnius requested help from the European Union, consultations are underway with the European Commission on the EU's reaction to the decision of the Chinese authorities.

Lithuania is excluded from the customs system, it seems that there is no such country in the Chinese customs system. This creates additional problems for exporters because they cannot send the remaining amount of cargo, said the president of the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists Vidmantas Janulevicius.

Relations between the two countries are in crisis due to the opening of a representative office in Vilnius on November 18. Taiwan

Export boom amid COVID-19 pandemic in other countries

By the end of October, China's exports in 2021 had already beaten all 2020 indicators.

China's continued export growth surprised economists, who predicted that global spending on Chinese-made goods would decline as more countries resumed operations this year.

This turned out to be premature, as the more contagious delta variant of COVID-19 spread around the world.

2020

China's exports rise to record $2.59 trillion

China at the end of 2020 increased exports by 3.6%, to $2.59 trillion (historical maximum). At the same time, imports decreased by 1.1%, to $2.06 trillion. This is evidenced by the data of the Chinese customs.

Early established control over the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has allowed Chinese enterprises to benefit from global demand in the absence of strong competitors. This export momentum is expected to continue even after mass vaccination and the recovery of industrial production in the United States and Europe.

Demand growth was recorded in all directions. Exports from China rose 18.1% in dollar terms in December compared to 2020 - and record November growth reached 21.1% - while imports rose 6.5%. For the full year, China's trade surplus reached $535 billion, up 27% from 2019. This is a new record since 2015.

According to the customs agency, China's factories exported almost 40 masks for every person in the world outside the country using face masks alone.

Demand for goods from China may remain high over the next few months, given the recent surge in COVID-19 infections in the United States and Europe, said Ding Shuang, chief economist for mainland China and North AsiaStandard Chartered.

The data showed that external demand stimulates China's economic recovery and is likely to continue in the coming months, according to a report published on January 14, 2021. Exports are likely to continue to grow in part because of higher U.S. demand for the expected economic aid package. Chinese manufacturers have flexibly adjusted their production lines to provide goods to meet demand in the new era of COVID-19. Moreover, in China there is a significant increase in the production of both goods related to the pandemic and not related to it.

The analysis also revealed shifts in China's trading partner economy in 2020, with a bloc of 10 Southeast Asian countries climbing exports to the top spot, followed by the European Union and the United States.^[6]

For the first time in history, China became the EU's largest partner

Eurostat: for the first time in history, China in 2020 became the largest trading partner of the European Union, ahead of the United States.

In 2020, EU trade with China reached €586 billion ($711 billion) compared to €555 billion ($673 billion) for the United States.

2019: World's largest computer device export - $148 billion

2018: Leadership in pyrotechnics exports

2017: Semiconductor imports more oil imports

China imports more semiconductors than oil- for example, in 2017 the total cost of importing semiconductors was 260 billion, dollars oil - 162 billion.

2015

Apple export leader with 14.7% share

Arms Export Map

2013: Trade surplus with the European Union

One of China's largest foreign trade partners is the European Union.

1700: England bans cotton imports from India, Iran and China

In 1700, the English parliament banned the import of cotton fabrics from India, Iran and China.

Notes