Machinery exports post robust growth

China's exports of mechanical and electrical products are set to maintain strong growth this year, supported by rising demand from emerging markets and the growing competitiveness of green products, said market watchers and exporters.

They said that beyond traditional markets such as the European Union and the United States, rising demand from emerging economies will further underpin export growth.

Faster industrialization in regions including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America is driving demand for infrastructure and power-related equipment, boosting overseas shipments of China's engineering machinery, industrial equipment, components and power generation equipment, said Yan Min, a researcher at the department of economic forecasting of the State Information Center in Beijing.

China's exports of mechanical and electrical products amounted to 2.89 trillion yuan ($420.3 billion) in the first two months, surging 24.3 percent year-on-year, said the General Administration of Customs.

Chen Zhen, a manager of customs affairs at Fujian Everstrong Lega Power Equipments Co Ltd — a maker of industrial diesel generator sets and small air-cooled engines — said the company has developed advanced generator sets and energy storage systems, catering to robust global demand for higher-capacity, more efficient and greener power equipment, particularly across fast-growing emerging markets.

After its export value rose to 456 million yuan in 2025, up 15.97 percent year-on-year, Lega Power sustained its growth momentum, with exports increasing a further 6.15 percent in the first two months of 2026, said Fuzhou Customs.

In China's northeastern region, Neusoft Medical Systems Co Ltd, a Shenyang, Liaoning province-based medical diagnostic equipment manufacturer, has transformed from a provider of diagnostic equipment to one offering both diagnostic and therapeutic devices, and from simply selling hardware to offering integrated medical solutions.

Wang Kaifan, the company's supply chain manager, said for the next step, Neusoft Medical will continue to tap emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and Africa, while strengthening global partnerships and enhancing its localized service capabilities.

With over 50,000 installations in more than 110 countries, Neusoft Medical shipped 615 million yuan worth of computed tomography (CT) scanners and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices to overseas markets in 2025, surging 19.3 percent year-on-year, said Shenyang Customs.

China's vast market, strong local innovation capabilities and supply chain advantages have also provided foreign corporations in the mechanical and electrical sector with opportunities to expand production capacity and import critical components for both domestic sales and exports.

One such company is Bosch Automotive Products (Suzhou) Co Ltd — a subsidiary of German industrial conglomerate Bosch Group — located in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province. The company imported goods worth 2 billion yuan in the first two months, with imports from Germany accounting for the majority and rising by more than 70 percent year-on-year, said Nanjing Customs.

Jia Yun, head of the company's logistics unit, said rising imports reflect stronger local demand and deeper supply chain integration, supporting production upgrades and the company's export competitiveness.

Huang Qunhui, a researcher at the Institute of Economics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the upgrading of China's manufacturing sector, together with expanding domestic demand and stronger imports, will combine to support global economic stability.

Echoing this view, Xia Fuliang, chairman of the Shanghai-based Association of International Chemical Manufacturers, said China now accounts for about 42 percent of global chemical output, a share widely expected to approach 50 percent by 2030.

"This is not only a vast market, but also represents significant export opportunities for foreign chemical manufacturers operating in China," said Xia.

Demand for specialty chemicals will continue to expand in sectors such as new energy vehicles, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and high-end equipment, in both China and other parts of the world, he added.