China's imports surged 22% to $1.89 trillion, with the country remaining the world's second largest import market
From January to July, China's goods imports reached 12.69 trillion yuan (about $1.89 trillion), up 22% year on year and eight percentage points higher than export growth. China has been the world's second largest import market for 17 consecutive years, with its imports growing at an average annual rate of 5.1%.
In the age of globalisation, imports are not merely purchases of foreign goods but a complex ecosystem connecting producers and consumers across oceans, continents and borders. China's import model is not just about scale but also about the diversity of routes: sea, land and air work as a single mechanism, where every container, train and aircraft is part of an integrated logistics network. This multi‑dimensionality allows China to remain a central hub of global trade, where goods from Europe, Asia and the Americas reach Chinese consumers with maximum efficiency and minimum delays.
As the world's largest trader in goods, China conducts over 90% of its cross‑border trade via maritime transport. Eight of the world's top ten ports by cargo throughput are located in China. Yantian Port in Shenzhen, southern China, has introduced an innovative "pre‑loading inspection" model, cutting customs clearance time in half and reducing costs by 30%. Ningbo‑Zhoushan Port in eastern China, along with other major transport hubs, continues to optimise shipping routes to leverage the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Automated terminals at the ports of Shanghai and Qingdao in eastern China have achieved handling efficiency of over 60 containers per hour per crane, the highest in the world.
China is also expanding its land‑based import channels. To date, China has handled more than 130,000 China‑Europe Railway Express trains, reaching 236 cities in 26 European countries and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. As of June 2026, the container load factor remained at 100 per cent for 46 consecutive months. Outbound and inbound rail freight are now virtually balanced at a 1:1 ratio, allowing European auto parts, pulp and specialty agricultural products to reach the Chinese market faster.
China is actively developing its international air cargo network, enabling high‑value and time‑sensitive goods such as advanced medical equipment and fresh imported seafood to be delivered to the Chinese market via dedicated freight aircraft. This year, China has opened 103 new international air cargo routes, increasing weekly flights by 229.
China's import infrastructure has developed alongside the growth of its economy and its integration into global supply chains. The "dual circulation" strategy (domestic and international) has stimulated the development of not only exports but also imports, contributing to balanced growth and meeting rising domestic demand. Participation in RCEP and the Belt and Road Initiative has opened new logistics corridors, making China more accessible to suppliers worldwide. High customs efficiency, port automation and route diversification are elements of a unified system that makes China one of the most attractive import markets in the world.
From coastal ports to inland railway hubs and air cargo terminals, China's growing import network ensures smoother access for goods from around the world.
As CCTV+ reports, the creation of a multi‑dimensional import model allows China not only to increase its foreign trade volumes but also to strengthen its role as a key link in global logistics. The balanced development of sea, land and air routes makes the Chinese market more open and flexible, and for international partners — more reliable and predictable. In the coming years, this network will continue to expand, opening new opportunities for trade and cooperation.
