(ECNS) -- China's trade with members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), grew steadily in the first nine months of 2026, led by a 22.7% increase in trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, customs data showed.
China's imports and exports with ASEAN totaled 6.84 trillion yuan ($960 billion), up 22.7% from a year earlier, according to the General Administration of Customs. ASEAN remains China's largest trading partner.
Trade with other RCEP members also rose, up 13% with Japan, 52.5% with South Korea, 28.5% with Australia and 4.8% with New Zealand.
Xu Ningning, chief business expert on China-ASEAN cooperation, attributed the growth to geographic proximity, improved transport links such as the China-Laos Railway, and complementary industrial strengths.
RCEP has further supported trade by reducing tariff costs and improving customs clearance, Xu said, while the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 is expected to expand cooperation in digital and green development.
Xu encouraged businesses to make better use of RCEP rules on tariff reductions, rules of origin and trade facilitation, tailor their strategies to individual markets, and explore new opportunities for trade and industrial cooperation.
(By Helen Mo & intern Liu Shuangjing)
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