China’s Top Trading Partners

China’s top trading partners 2024 include the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India, Russia, Germany, Netherlands, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia, and the UK.

China shares borders with 14 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam.

Located in East Asia near key trading partners including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India and Singapore, China exported $3.575 trillion of exported products worldwide in 2024. Also, China is the

• largest economy in East Asia
• 2nd largest economy worldwide
• the largest economy in Asia
• largest exporter & 2nd largest importer of goods

From a continental perspective, 48% of mainland China’s goods exported went to fellow Asian countries, and 21% to European importers. Furthermore, it shipped another 19%, 5%, and 5% of its exports to its key trading partners in North America, Africa, and Latin America, respectively.

Given China’s population of 1.4 billion, its total exported products of $3.575 trillion in 2024 translates to about $2,550 for every resident.

China’s Top Exports 2024

The following export product groups categorize the highest dollar value in Chinese global exports 2023.

• Electrical machinery and equipment ($928 billion): Mobile phones, semiconductors, power adapters, and transformers. This category constitutes the largest share of China’s exports, driven by global demand for electronics and components.
• Machinery, including computers ($568.3 billion): industrial engines, construction equipment, air conditioners, and printing machinery.
• Vehicles ($216.1 billion): Passenger cars, EVs, motorcycles, auto parts.
• Plastics ($141.3 billion): Packaging materials, household plastic items, PVC pipes.
• Furniture, bedding, lighting, signs, prefabricated buildings ($126.4 billion): Household and office furniture, lighting equipment, and prefab structures.
• Articles of iron or steel ($100.1 billion): Covering a range of iron and steel products.
• Knit or crochet clothing, accessories ($85.4 billion): Knitted or crocheted apparel and accessories.
• Organic chemicals ($82.6 billion): Including organic and inorganic chemicals
• Toys, games ($82.5 billion): Wide array of toys and gaming products
• Optical, technical, medical apparatus ($72.5 billion): Covers instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary sciences.​

Read: Canada’s Top Trading Partners

China’s Main Industries

Technology, defence, information technology, textiles, chemicals, AI, biotechnology, iron & steel, automobiles, telecommunications equipment, and organic chemicals.

Trade Organizations

• World Trade Organization: Facilitates China’s integration into the global economy by reducing tariffs, ensuring market access, and adhering to global trade norms.
• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation: Promotes free trade and economic cooperation among Pacific Rim countries.
• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership: 15 Asia-Pacific nations, including ASEAN members, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. Creates the largest free trade agreement globally, covering goods, services, and investments.
• Belt and Road Initiative: Expands trade routes and connectivity across Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond.
• Shanghai Cooperation Organization: This organization includes countries like Russia, India, and Central Asian nations and focuses on regional economic integration, security, and development.
• Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): China has negotiated multiple bilateral and regional FTAs to enhance trade and economic cooperation. Key agreements include:
  • China-ASEAN FTA
  • China-Australia FTA
  • China-South Korea FTA
  • China-Chile FTA
  • China-Serbia FTA
  • Others FTAs: Switzerland, Iceland, Maldives, Georgia, Mauritius, Singapore.
• The BRICS Group Includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It promotes economic cooperation among emerging economies, focusing on trade and investment.
• G20: Participates in shaping global trade policies, addressing economic challenges, and enhancing multilateral trade.

China’s Top 10 Trading Partners

Below is a list of China’s top trading partners. These countries imported the most Chinese shipments by dollar value in 2024.

• United States ($524.9 billion): The US is China’s largest single-country export destination, driven by consumer goods and tech components demand. Primary exports include machinery, textiles, electric machinery, and medical equipment.
• Hong Kong ($291.4 billion) Functions as a re-export hub for goods heading to other global markets. Key exports include telecommunication equipment and semiconductors.
• Vietnam ($161.8 billion): Vietnam is a growing manufacturing base and transit hub for Chinese goods. Exports include machinery, textiles, and footwear.
• Japan ($152 billion): Japan is a close trading partner due to geographic proximity. Chinese exports consist of machinery, electronics, textiles, and chemical products.
• South Korea $146.4 billion): A major player in China’s supply chain for high-tech products. China exports electronic components, machinery, and petrochemical products.
• India ($120.5 billion): India is a vital industrial product and consumer electronics market.
• Russia ($115.5 billion): Trade with Russia has grown significantly due to strengthened political and economic ties. China exports machinery, electronics, vehicles, and textiles to Russia.
• Germany ($107 billion): Germany is the largest European market for Chinese goods.
• Malaysia ($101.2 billion): Malaysia is central to China’s trade within Southeast Asia.
• Netherlands ($91.1 billion): Acts as a key distribution hub for Chinese goods in Europe.

Companies Servicing China’s Top Trading Partners

• Aluminum Corporation of China (aluminium)
• Alibaba (eCommerce)
• BYD (cars, trucks)
• Dongfang Electric (electrical equipment)
• Dongfeng Motor Corporation (cars, trucks)
• Gree Electric Appliances (household appliances)
• Haier Smart (house appliances)
• Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (banking)
• Midea Group Co. Ltd. (household appliances)
• PetroChina (oil, gas)
• SAIC Motor (cars, trucks)
• Sinopec-China Petroleum (oil, gas)
• Sinopharm Group (pharmaceuticals)
• Tsingtao Brewery (beverages)