China: Balance of Payments (USD, Quarterly) - Current Account Balance

Macro

2026-06-27

Description

China's Current Account Balance is published by China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) and is used to measure China's international balance of payments in terms of merchandise trade, service trade, primary income and secondary income. A current account surplus indicates that the country has net savings from the outside world and is often seen as a source of foreign exchange reserve growth; a current account deficit indicates that the country needs to rely on international borrowing to meet expenditures. When the current account value is positive, it means that exports are greater than imports, which usually indicates strong economic competitiveness; when the value is negative, it means that imports are greater than exports, which may indicate a trade deficit or capital outflow.

Published by
State AdministRation of Foreign Exchange of China (Choice)
Frequency
Quarterly
Next Update

AI Data Insight

In the first quarter of 2026, China's current account balance stood at $184.31 billion. Although it retreated from the previous reading of $243.821 billion, it showed significant growth compared to the same period last year, marking a historical high for the first quarter. A massive goods trade surplus of $247.5 billion served as the main engine, offsetting the services trade deficit and demonstrating China's robust export resilience amidst global trade barriers.

AI Data Insight

In the first quarter of 2026, China's current account balance stood at $184.31 billion. Although it retreated from the previous reading of $243.821 billion, it showed significant growth compared to the same period last year, marking a historical high for the first quarter. A massive goods trade surplus of $247.5 billion served as the main engine, offsetting the services trade deficit and demonstrating China's robust export resilience amidst global trade barriers.

Description

China's Current Account Balance is published by China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) and is used to measure China's international balance of payments in terms of merchandise trade, service trade, primary income and secondary income. A current account surplus indicates that the country has net savings from the outside world and is often seen as a source of foreign exchange reserve growth; a current account deficit indicates that the country needs to rely on international borrowing to meet expenditures. When the current account value is positive, it means that exports are greater than imports, which usually indicates strong economic competitiveness; when the value is negative, it means that imports are greater than exports, which may indicate a trade deficit or capital outflow.

Published by
State AdministRation of Foreign Exchange of China (Choice)
Frequency
Quarterly
Next Update