Guangdong trade surges 19.4 percent in first quarter

Guangdong's import and export volume reached 2.54 trillion yuan ($181.7 billion) in the first quarter, up 19.4 percent year-on-year, customs data showed Friday, extending the province's streak of positive annual growth to 14 consecutive months.

Exports rose 14.3 percent to 1.53 trillion yuan over the period, while imports climbed 27.8 percent to 1.01 trillion yuan, according to figures released by Guangdong Customs.

At a press conference in Guangzhou on Friday, Feng Guoqing, deputy director of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs, attributed the growth to three factors: industrial upgrading, strong purchasing power, and an expanded trading partner base.

On the industrial side, imports of integrated circuits rose 36.5 percent in the first quarter, computer components climbed 30 percent, and CNC machine tools grew 9.8 percent. Imports of aircraft parts and automotive engines increased by 53.3 percent and 70.1 percent, respectively, pointing to strong demand for core components and high-end equipment in the province's advanced manufacturing sector.

Consumer imports also expanded sharply. Edible oil imports rose 124.1 percent, beef 73.4 percent, and video cameras 59.1 percent, while dairy products and aquatic products grew 12.3 percent and 9.4 percent, respectively.

Feng linked the consumer import growth to provincial policies aimed at stimulating domestic spending. Guangdong has a population of more than 128 million, he noted.

The province also broadened its trade relationships. Imports from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative rose 11.3 percent, contributing 4.5 percentage points to overall import growth.

Guangdong's intermediate goods growth rate lead the country in the first quarter, serving as the main driver of imports and providing strong support for deepening global industrial collaboration.

The province accounts for a significant share of China's total foreign trade and serves as a major node in global supply chains for electronics, machinery, and consumer goods.