China has been the world’s largest exporter of merchandise goods since 2009.
Its export growth accelerated after economic reforms, industrial expansion and membership in the World Trade Organization in 2001. Chinese factories became major suppliers of electronics, machinery, textiles, furniture and many other manufactured products.
The term “merchandise” means physical goods, rather than services such as banking, tourism or software licensing. Rankings can differ depending on whether trade in services is included, whether re-exports are counted, and which year’s data is being used.
China is also one of the world’s largest importers. It imports energy, food, industrial components and raw materials used by its manufacturing sector. This makes its trade position more complex than the common image of a country that only sells goods abroad.