China's August Exports Rise 25%; Trade Surplus Continues to Expand

Recently NHK News on-line reported the following:

中国 8月の輸出額25％増加 貿易黒字は拡大傾向続く

2026年9月8日 20:36

中国

中国の8月の輸出額は、半導体の輸出が伸びたことなどから去年の同じ月と比べて25％増えました。好調な輸出にけん引され、貿易黒字は拡大傾向が続いています。

中国の税関当局が8日発表した貿易統計によりますと、8月の輸出額はドル換算で4014億ドルと、去年の同じ月と比べて25％増え、5か月連続でふた桁の伸び率を記録しました。

これは世界的なAI需要の拡大を背景に半導体を含む集積回路の輸出額が大きく伸びたほか、EV＝電気自動車などの輸出が増えたことが主な要因です。

国・地域別では、アメリカ向けの輸出が34％、ASEAN＝東南アジア諸国連合向けが30％、それぞれ大幅に増えたほか、EU＝ヨーロッパ連合向けは6％増加しました。

一方、全体の輸入額は28.2％増えて2823億ドルとなり、輸出から輸入を差し引いた貿易収支は1190億ドルの黒字でした。

中国の貿易黒字は、輸出の大幅な増加に伴って拡大傾向が続いていて、ことし1月から8月までの累計の貿易黒字は8000億ドルを超えました。

本との貿易についてはレアアース磁石などの一部の品目の輸出が減少していますが、全体では輸出が8％、輸入は20％、それぞれ増えました。

Translation

China's August Exports Rise 25%; Trade Surplus Continues to Expand

September 8, 2026, 20:36

China

China's exports in August rose by 25% year-on-year, driven by factors such as increased semiconductor shipments. Fueled by this strong export performance, the country's trade surplus continues to expand.

According to trade statistics released by Chinese customs authorities on the 8th, the value of exports in August reached $401.4 billion (in US dollar terms)—a 25% increase compared to the same month last year—marking the fifth consecutive month of double-digit growth.

Key factors behind this rise include a significant increase in exports of integrated circuits (including semiconductors), driven by expanding global demand for AI as well as increased exports of electric vehicles (EVs).

By country and region, exports to the United States surged by 34% and those to ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) by 30%, while exports to the EU (European Union) rose by 6%.

Meanwhile, total imports increased by 28.2% to $282.3 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $119 billion, calculated by subtracting imports from exports.

China's trade surplus continues to widen alongside the substantial growth in exports; the cumulative trade surplus for the period from January to August of this year has exceeded $800 billion.

On the other hand, regarding trade with Japan, while exports of certain items—such as rare-earth magnets—declined, overall exports to Japan rose by 8% and imports from Japan increased by 20%.

So, China's exports in August rose by 25% year-on-year, driven by factors such as increased semiconductor shipments. Because of this strong export performance, the country's trade surplus continued to expand. On the other hand, overall exports to Japan rose by 8% and imports from Japan increased by 20%.