Overseas demand, reliable goods' supply contribute to double-digit growth in China's exports in Q1

China's exports maintained double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2026, thanks to a pickup in overseas demand and the country's ability to provide high-quality, reliable goods, a senior Chinese customs official said on Tuesday.

Wang Jun, deputy head of the General Administration of Customs, briefed the media on China's import and export in the first quarter of 2026 and explained the drivers of the export growth in the period at a press conference.

"External demand is picking up. In the first quarter, China's exports to ASEAN increased by 17.5 percent, while exports to the European Union and the United Kingdom grew by 18 percent and 15.3 percent, respectively. Besides, the rapid global development of artificial intelligence and green and low-carbon industries has significantly boosted demand for related smart and green products. China continues to provide a stable, reliable supply of production for industries worldwide by leveraging its comprehensive industrial support system. In the first quarter, exports of goods from the equipment manufacturing sector reached 4.25 trillion yuan (about 622.22 billion U.S. dollars), up 19.2 percent year on year, accounting for over 60 percent of the total export value," said the official.

"Among exports, products from the computer and communications manufacturing industry and transportation equipment, such as railway and shipbuilding products, both saw export growth of over 20 percent. Meanwhile, the introduction of innovative new products into the market is also stimulating fresh demand. Products like 3D printers and digital cameras have gained popularity with overseas consumers, with their exports surging by 119 percent and 32.7 percent, respectively, in the first quarter," Wang continued.