In the first half of the year, trade between Russia and China rose by 40.6 percent, reaching 114.54 billion dollars, according to data published by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China. The expansion reflects a sustained uptick in bilateral commerce and the broader energy and industrial exchange shaping their relationship.
China imported 52.284 billion dollars worth of goods from Russia in six months, up 78.1 percent from the same period in 2022. Deliveries from Russia to China climbed 19.4 percent to 62.263 billion dollars, underscoring a shift in trade composition and the growing role of Russia as a supplier in high-demand categories.
June figures show the bilateral trade turnover at 20.831 billion dollars. Russia supplied China with 11.28 billion dollars in goods, while China sent 9.551 billion dollars to Russia. These mid-year numbers illustrate a continued pattern of robust interdependence even as global markets adjust to shifting energy and commodity flows.
Industry analysts note that the trajectory in 2022 also highlighted strong growth, with Russia–China trade reaching a record 190.271 billion dollars, marking a significant expansion from prior years and reinforcing a durable, institutionalized level of engagement between the two economies.
In late June, reporting by The Wall Street Journal’s Middle East correspondent Summer Said suggested that Russia could become China’s largest oil supplier, potentially overtaking Saudi Arabia. The article implied that broader geopolitical factors and ongoing conflicts impacted the relative influence of traditional energy suppliers on global markets.
As observers assess future trade dynamics, Western governments and policy makers continue to monitor how sanctions regimes, energy pricing, and supply chain realignments might shape commerce between Russia and China.