Chongqing's total foreign trade hit 221.55 billion yuan in the first quarter, up 34.3% year on year, setting a record high for the period and marking a strong start to the year.
The Industrial Ballast: Legacy Lines and New Categories: Underpinning the Trade Fundamentals
Statistics show that, in the first quarter of this year, Chongqing's agricultural exports reached 610 million yuan, up 35.9% year on year. Together with lithium-ion batteries and other products, they are providing new growth drivers for the city's foreign trade.
Chongqing's manufactured exports, one of the city's traditional strengths, have also maintained strong momentum.
In the first quarter, Chongqing's electronic equipment manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, and electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing sectors sustained robust export growth. Key export categories, including laptops, mobile phones, integrated circuits and automobiles, recorded export values of RMB 40.53 billion, RMB 13.73 billion, RMB 29.08 billion and RMB 13.23 billion respectively, up 13.6%, 11.2%, 170.1% and 70.5% year on year.
The trend is already reflected in the figures: Chongqing's lithium-ion battery exports soared 468.7% in Q1, largely driven by demand from the new energy vehicle sector.
Chongqing's foreign trade has developed an export structure characterised by the steady growth of traditional strengths and the rapid rise of new drivers, reinforcing each other in a pattern of synergy between old and new, supported by multiple growth points. Traditional mainstays such as laptops and mobile phones have maintained steady growth, while new growth drivers such as electric vehicles and energy storage equipment are expanding rapidly. Together, they provided strong support for the city's record Q1 foreign trade performance.
Expanding the Trade Circle: The Corridor Foundation
At the same time, Chongqing's trade with Belt and Road partner countries reached RMB 102.33 billion in the quarter, up 39.5% year on year, outpacing overall foreign trade growth and becoming the largest single driver of the increase. Chongqing's trade with emerging markets also posted strong gains, with trade with Latin America and Africa rising 37.4% and 40.2% respectively, both maintaining high growth.
Chongqing is also using emerging trade formats, especially cross-border e-commerce, to expand its trade network. In the first quarter, exports through overseas warehouse models grew 73% year on year, with destination countries increasing by 19 to reach 27. This has become an important way for Chongqing enterprises to respond to adjustments in small-value tax exemption policies in multiple countries. Among these exports, shipments to the United States rose 63.3% year on year, contributing 2.6 percentage points to Chongqing's export growth to the US market.
Players in Full Stride: Enterprise Dynamism Unleashed
As one of China's leading motorcycle manufacturing hubs, Chongqing has already formed a mature export ecosystem. It includes major industry players such as Zongshen, Loncin and Lifan, as well as a group of emerging companies focused on specialised segments, including Sur-Ron and Junchi. Large, medium-sized and small enterprises are working in coordination and expanding overseas in stages, jointly strengthening the "Chongqing motorcycle" brand.
In 2025, Chongqing firms accounted for five of China's top ten motorcycle export enterprises. In the first quarter of this year, the city's motorcycle exports reached RMB 7.1 billion, up 8.8% year on year, making the sector an important growth driver for Chongqing's foreign trade.
The coordinated overseas expansion of motorcycle manufacturers reflects the growing vitality of Chongqing's foreign trade enterprises.
Official data show that, in the first quarter, the number of Chongqing enterprises with actual import and export activity reached 4,357, up 23.1% year on year and a record high for the period. More importantly, all types of foreign trade entities saw growth and advanced together. Private enterprises recorded RMB 105.9 billion in imports and exports, up 27.6% year on year, continuing to serve as the main force. Foreign-invested enterprises registered RMB 88.83 billion, up 34.4%, driving coordinated upgrading across industrial chains. State-owned enterprises contributed RMB 26.8 billion, up 70.4%, the fastest growth among the three categories and a clear demonstration of their strengthening strategic support role.
The Policy Tailwind: Powering Fast Firm Growth
The rapid growth of active trading enterprises is closely linked to government support. The Canton Fair is a case in point. As a highly market-oriented platform, exhibition space is extremely competitive, and many companies are unable to secure booths despite strong demand. Chongqing organises local enterprises to attend each edition and makes every effort to secure more resources for them.
Following these efforts, the Canton Fair arranged more than 70 additional booths for the Chongqing delegation in areas including motorcycles, power machinery and electric power equipment. ZXMOTO (Zhangxue Motorcycles) was also given an opportunity to exhibit in the public area outside the motorcycle section, helping it become one of the standout exhibitors at the fair.
Going forward, Chongqing will further upgrade its "100 Missions, 1,000 Enterprises" international market development plan. In line with the 2026 Catalogue of Key Overseas Exhibitions Supported by Chongqing Municipality, the city will focus on core industries across 100 exhibitions. At the same time, it will expand the "Yu Trade Global" key exhibition plan, increasing the number of priority exhibitions to seven this year.
Source: Chongqing Daily, April 27, 2026
By Yang Jun
Abridged