A bird's-eye view of Wuxi. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
Wuxi's foreign trade continued to expand rapidly in the first three quarters of 2026, driven by strong exports of computing hardware, industrial innovation and broader overseas market access.
According to data released by Wuxi Customs on Oct 19, the city's total imports and exports reached 805.19 billion yuan ($122.40 billion), up 31.9 percent year-on-year, the fastest growth for the same period in five years. Exports rose 40.7 percent to 594.58 billion yuan, outpacing the provincial average by 15.2 percentage points.
Mechanical and electrical products accounted for 79.8 percent of exports, totaling 474.57 billion yuan, up 52.3 percent. Exports of electronic components and computer parts reached 147.28 billion yuan and 107.56 billion yuan, respectively. The latter surged 499.1 percent, highlighting rising demand for computing infrastructure.
Local manufacturers are also moving up the value chain. Wuxi Jiefu Electroacoustic has shifted from basic component processing toward developing ultra-thin acoustic units and automotive sound systems. Its proprietary-brand speaker exports reached about 17 million yuan in the first nine months, up 5 percent from 2025.
Market diversification has further supported growth. Trade with South Korea, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Hong Kong rose 30.6 percent, 35.3 percent and 226.7 percent, respectively. Trade with other Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership members increased 26.7 percent, accounting for 43.6 percent of the total.
Businesses are also adapting products to overseas needs and expanding digital marketing. Jiangsu Ewow Technology reported a 30 percent increase in export value, while Wuxi Mukeban Furniture recorded 21 percent growth by using cross-border e-commerce and AI-powered promotions.
The figures underscore how product innovation, market diversification and digital channels are helping Wuxi strengthen its position in global trade.
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