Country profile
China
The world's largest exporter, led by electrical machinery, machinery and vehicles, and often the only or main source of components and materials.
Updated 10 November 2026. Sources at the bottom of the page.
- Capital
- Beijing
- Population
- 1.40 billion (2025)
- Currency
- Renminbi (CNY)
- GDP, 2026
- US$21.5 trillion
- Exports, 2025
- US$3.78 trillion
- Exchange rate
- 1 USD = 6.67 CNY (9 Nov 2026)
Economy
IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2026. 2026 and 2027 are IMF projections.
4.5%Real GDP growth, 2026
4%Real GDP growth, 2027
1%Inflation, 2026
5.1%Unemployment, 2026
104.4% of GDPGovernment debt, 2026
4.0% of GDPCurrent account, 2026
Trade
Top export markets
Share of the country’s exports, 2025
- United States (11.1%)
- Hong Kong (8.9%)
- Vietnam (5.3%)
- Japan (4.2%)
- South Korea (3.8%)
Main exports
Product groups, share of exports
- Electrical machinery and equipment (26.9%)
- Machinery, including computers (16.0%)
- Vehicles (6.6%)
- Plastics and plastic goods (3.8%)
- Furniture, lighting and prefabricated buildings (3.1%)
Main trade agreements
- RCEP (ASEAN, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand)
- China–ASEAN Free Trade Area
- Bilateral agreements including Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Switzerland and Singapore
Trade policy to watch
- Export controls on critical materials: since 2023, China requires export licences for gallium, germanium and graphite, and in 2025 it added controls on rare earths and related technologies.
- Tariffs on Chinese goods: US, EU, Mexican and other tariffs on Chinese products change often; check the current rate for your products and destination.
- RCEP: lowers tariffs between China and its Asian and Pacific partners.
Energy
Coal is China's largest energy source and generates most of its electricity. China is the world's largest importer of crude oil and has the world's largest installed solar and wind capacity.
What it means for your supply chain
- China is often the only or main source of electronic components, magnets and some chemicals; flag these as single-source risks.
- Export licensing can delay shipments of controlled materials; ask suppliers which licences their products need.
- Many suppliers in Vietnam, Mexico and elsewhere use Chinese inputs, so your exposure to China can be indirect. Map your suppliers’ sourcing countries, not only their locations.
Sources
- IMF, World Economic Outlook, October 2026: GDP, growth, inflation, unemployment, government debt, current account (2026 and 2027 are projections).
- IMF, World Economic Outlook database: population (2025).
- World’s Top Exports, 2025: export markets (shares calculated from values) and main exports.
- Bank of Canada, daily exchange rates, 9 November 2026 (cross rates calculated from CAD rates).
- Energy Institute, Statistical Review of World Energy 2026: energy profile.
Figures are the latest published at the time of the update and may since have been revised. This page is for general information, not investment or legal advice.