China's foreign trade hits five-year high as high-tech exports surge

China's foreign trade grew 18.8 percent year on year to 39.94 trillion yuan in the first three quarters of 2026, the fastest pace for that period in five years, official data showed Wednesday. Both exports and imports expanded rapidly, with growth accelerating from 15.3 percent in Q1 to 22.3 percent in Q3. Exports rose 16.4 percent to 23.2 trillion yuan, while imports climbed 22.3 percent to 16.74 trillion yuan. September trade hit 5.16 trillion yuan, up 27.5 percent, crossing the 5-trillion mark for the first time. High-tech products drove gains, with integrated circuit exports surging 99.1 percent and electric vehicle exports up 72.3 percent. Foreign-invested enterprises saw record trade of 11.69 trillion yuan, up 19 percent. Trade with free trade partners reached 19.55 trillion yuan, contributing over 70 percent of total growth. Equipment manufacturing accounted for nearly 90 percent of export gains, while intermediate goods made up over half of exports.