Imports into China hit their highest dollar amount in September, as the world’s second-largest economy increased purchases of iron ore, agricultural commodities and semiconductors as part of an accelerating recovery from coronavirus.
Imports last month were up 13.2 per cent year on year to $203bn, by far the biggest jump in 2020, customs data showed on Tuesday. The previous record for a single month was in September 2018, before the trade war with the US escalated.
The new figures, which also showed exports rising at their fastest rate this year, underline China’s booming trade activity at a time when other economies are still struggling to shake off the effects of the pandemic.