China's First-Half 2026 Imports Exceed 10 Trillion Yuan, Up 22.1%; Imports from Africa Up 19.6%
China's first-half 2026 imports exceeded 10 trillion yuan for the first time, rising 22.1% year-on-year, 8.7 percentage points faster than exports. Imports from Latin America grew 16.2%, from Africa 19.6%, and from Belt and Road countries 16.3%. Trade with ASEAN reached 4.34 trillion yuan, up 18.2%, with intermediate goods accounting for nearly two-thirds. China has granted zero-tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines to least developed countries, and its overall tariff level fell to 7.3% by 2025. In May 2026, zero tariffs for 53 African countries boosted African imports 23.5% in two months.
China's imports in the first half of 2026 exceeded 10 trillion yuan for the first time in a January-June period, up 22.1% year-on-year, with the growth rate 8.7 percentage points higher than that of exports. Imports from Global South countries grew particularly strongly: imports from Latin America and Africa rose 16.2% and 19.6% respectively, while imports from Belt and Road countries increased 16.3%. China has been the world's second-largest import market for 17 consecutive years and is the main export destination for nearly 80 countries and regions.
China's import structure is dominated by energy, minerals, and intermediate goods, reflecting its industrial structure and development stage. As the global manufacturing hub, China's import categories are expanding from traditional energy and minerals to electronic equipment, machinery parts, and others. In the first half of 2026, China's trade with ASEAN reached 4.34 trillion yuan, up 18.2% year-on-year, with intermediate goods trade accounting for nearly two-thirds. Electronic products and parts, as well as electrical machinery and parts, became the main trade categories.
China continues to increase market opening. In December 2024, China granted zero-tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines to the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations. By 2025, China's overall tariff level had been reduced to 7.3%, among the lowest globally. In May 2026, China fully implemented zero tariffs on 53 African countries with diplomatic relations. Within two months, imports from Africa grew 23.5% year-on-year, with aquatic products and textile raw materials both achieving double-digit growth.
Beyond trade, China supports global connectivity through financial cooperation platforms such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund. The Belt and Road Initiative, through production capacity cooperation, technical assistance, infrastructure support, and investment in factory building, helps Global South countries improve their industrial systems, cultivate local industries, and enhance value chain addition. These measures provide support for developing countries to accelerate their modernization process.