Trade Balance in China

China - Trade Balance
Exports and imports accelerate in November
Exports expanded 12.3% annually in November, coming in above October’s 6.9% increase and market analysts’ expectations of a 5.3% rise. November’s healthy print signals that global growth remains strong, which is lifting demand for Chinese goods. In particular, export growth benefited from the launch of the new iPhones.
Meanwhile, imports rose 17.7% annually in November, which came in above October’s 17.4% expansion and the 11.3% increase that market analysts had expected. The print suggests that domestic demand is in a good shape, which bodes well for overall growth in Q4.
The trade surplus narrowed from USD 44.2 billion in November 2016 to USD 40.2 billion in November 2017 (October 2017: USD 38.2 billion surplus). The 12-month moving sum of the trade surplus decreased from October’s USD 425 billion to USD 421 billion in November, which marked the lowest value since January 2015.
Exports will expand 4.5% in 2018, bringing the trade surplus to USD 470 billion. In 2019, exports will rise 3.7%, pushing up the trade surplus to USD 492 billion.
China - Trade Balance Data
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trade Balance (USD billion) | 594 | 510 | 420 | 351 | 421 |
China Trade Balance Chart

Source: Customs of the People's Republic of China.
China Facts
Value | Change | Date | |
---|---|---|---|
Bond Yield | 3.17 | -0.40 % | Dec 31 |
Exchange Rate | 6.96 | -0.19 % | Jan 01 |
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Economic News
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China: House prices decline again in December
January 15, 2023
House prices in 70 large- and medium-sized cities fell 0.2% month on month in December, according to a weighted average index calculated by Refinitiv from data issued by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), following November’s 0.2% decrease.
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China: Economic growth slows in Q4
January 15, 2023
GDP growth waned to 2.9% year on year in the fourth quarter from 3.9% in the third quarter, broadly in line with our panelists’ expectations. The services sector grew 2.3% annually in the fourth quarter, decelerating from the third quarter's 3.2% increase.
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China: Merchandise exports decline in December
January 10, 2023
Merchandise exports decreased 9.9% year-on-year in December following November’s 9.0% decrease, driven by Covid-19 disruptions at home and mild demand from developed markets.
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China: Inflation rises in December
January 10, 2023
Consumer price inflation came in at 1.8% in December, which was up from November’s 1.6% but was still weak by international standards due to depressed demand.
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China: Money supply records slowest growth since June in December
January 10, 2023
In December, Chinese banks distributed CNY 1400 billion in new yuan loans, up from November’s 1210 billion figure.