The General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China announced that bilateral trade with Russia for the January through March period rose by 38.7 percent from the previous year, totaling 53.84 billion US dollars. This uptick reflects a vigorous restart of South–South commerce as both economies navigate shifting global demand, sanctions realities, and evolving supply chains. The assessment aligns with evolving trade metrics reported by major agencies and underscores a sustained momentum in the China–Russia corridor, where a growing exchange of goods across multiple sectors has become a defining feature of early-year economic activity. (TASS)
During the first quarter, exports from China to Russia surged by 47.1 percent, reaching about 24.07 billion dollars, while Russia’s imports from China grew by 32.6 percent to 29.77 billion dollars. This asymmetry in growth rates points to a wider rebalancing of bilateral flows, as Russia expands its procurement of manufactured goods, technology components, and consumer products from Chinese producers while maintaining a broad, diversified import portfolio. The data illustrate how Chinese supply chains are adapting to Russian demand patterns, with a noticeable emphasis on durable goods, industrial inputs, and consumer merchandise that support domestic production and household consumption. (TASS)
In 2022, China delivered 162,000 vehicles to Russia, marking an increase of more than 33 percent year over year. Chinese officials in Moscow highlighted a rising market share for Chinese brands, noting it climbed from 7 percent to 19.2 percent. Beyond vehicles, exports of household appliances and consumer electronics also expanded, signaling a strengthening of consumer-oriented trade channels. Chinese diplomats and trade observers frame these developments as evidence of robust cross-border demand, with the Russian consumer market showing substantial room for growth as household incomes stabilize and retail channels adapt to shifting preference patterns. The ambassador to Moscow emphasized that the long-term potential for Chinese goods in Russia remains substantial, reflecting a broad-based interest in affordable, reliable technology and everyday products. (Zhang Hanhue, Chinese Ambassador to Moscow; official statements)
Earlier, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, estimated that trade between Russia and China had reached approximately 300 billion dollars. The figure, cited amid discussions of strategic realignment in regional trade networks, underscores the importance both nations place on their bilateral relationship. Analysts note that such a high-mark estimate signals confidence in continued collaboration, particularly in sectors like energy, transportation equipment, consumer electronics, and advanced manufacturing inputs. The dialogue around these numbers also mirrors policy signals from both capitals aimed at expanding trade facilitation, reducing transactional frictions, and promoting joint ventures that leverage China’s scale and Russia’s resource endowment. (Russian government sources; strategic remarks)