During January through October, trade between Russia and China climbed to 196.48 billion dollars, marking an increase of 27.7 percent. Official data from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China confirm this rise. [Source: Chinese customs statistics] The expansion reflects a continuing momentum in bilateral commerce despite broader global headwinds.
For the first ten months of the year, China’s shipments to Russia rose by 52.2 percent, reaching about 90.08 billion dollars, while Russia’s shipments to China grew by 12.4 percent, totaling around 106.4 billion dollars. The bilateral trade surplus for Russia in this period stood at 16.32 billion dollars, though it represented a decline of roughly 53 percent relative to the same interval a year earlier. [Cite: bilateral trade balance]
Chinese customs figures for October show a monthly trade value of 19.79 billion dollars, a 9 percent drop from September. On a monthly basis, Russia’s imports decreased by 3.7 percent to about 11.1 billion dollars, while China’s exports fell by 10.2 percent to roughly 8.69 billion dollars. These shifts point to softer activity in October, influenced by seasonality and shifting demand patterns in both economies. [Data notice: monthly trends]
Russia remains a key supplier of energy and related resources to China, with oil, natural gas, and coal forming the core export mix. In return, China supplies industrial and specialized equipment, consumer goods such as toys and shoes, as well as automotive components, computers, and semiconductors including germanium. This portfolio underscores a diversified, energy-linked trade relationship that supports manufacturing and infrastructure initiatives on both sides. [Context: trade flows]
In October, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin noted a substantial expansion in trade with China, stating that turnover reached 16 trillion rubles in the period up to September 2023. The comment highlighted the resilience and scale of the bilateral exchange amid global economic uncertainties. [Official remark]
Analysts have observed that sanctions-era dynamics continue to shape the pattern of commerce between Moscow and Beijing. While some sectors experience constraint, others adapt through alternative supply chains and increased cooperation in energy, technology, and manufacturing. The overall trajectory suggests sustained interest in deepening economic ties, even as external policy environments evolve. [Analytical perspective]