China's annual exports drop for first time in seven years

Shipments declined 4.6% in 2023 amid sluggish global demand

20240112 China exports

A terminal at the port of Yantai, Shandong province, on Jan. 10. China in 2023 exported 4.91 million vehicles. © Reuters

CK TAN, Nikkei staff writer

SHANGHAI -- China's exports last year contracted for the first time since 2016 in dollar terms, underscoring sluggish global demand amid tight financial conditions and an unstable domestic economic recovery.

In 2023, a double-digit contraction in commodities, including rare earth and aluminum, led overall exports to decline by 4.6% to $3.38 trillion, according to data released Friday by China's customs office.

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