China's foreign trade grows by double digits, topping 5 trillion yuan in Sept

China's total goods imports and exports rose 18.8 percent year-on-year to 39.94 trillion yuan ($5.9 trillion) in the first three quarters of 2026, the General Administration of Customs said on Wednesday.

Exports increased 16.4 percent to 23.2 trillion yuan, while imports grew 22.3 percent to 16.74 trillion yuan during the period, data from the administration showed.

In September alone, goods trade rose 27.5 percent year-on-year to 5.16 trillion yuan, topping 5 trillion yuan for the first time and marking a sixth consecutive month of double-digit growth.

China's foreign trade gained momentum with each passing quarter, with year-on-year growth accelerating from 15.3 percent in the first quarter to 18.3 percent in the second, and 22.3 percent in the third, the administration said.