China's industrial output, foreign trade grow strongly in 7 months
China's industrial output and foreign trade showed strong growth over the first seven months of 2026, with high-tech manufacturing surging by 13.8 percent. Despite a slight dip in the manufacturing PMI, trade with Belt and Road partners and private sector activity remain resilient.
Why it matters
The data provides insight into the health of the Chinese economy and its strategic focus on high-tech manufacturing and global trade partnerships.
Industrial enterprises above designated size recorded a 5.3 per cent year-on-year increase in value added during January-July. Manufacturing grew 5.6 per cent, while equipment manufacturing expanded 9.7 per cent and high-tech manufacturing surged 13.8 per cent.
In July alone, industrial value added increased 4.5 per cent year on year and 0.11 per cent from June. However, the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) stood at 49.2, remaining below the 50-point mark separating expansion from contraction, while the Production and Operation Expectation Index was 54.1.
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