China News reported from Shanghai on 21 October 2026 that, according to Shanghai Customs, the Yangtze River Delta's imports and exports totaled 15.19 trillion yuan in the first three quarters of 2026. That is a record for the period, up 20.3% year on year, equal to 38% of China's total trade, and the region's 19th consecutive month of growth.
Trade with Belt and Road partner countries reached 7.84 trillion yuan, up 23.4%. Trade with other RCEP members was 5.45 trillion yuan, up 36.8%, trade with ASEAN was 2.66 trillion yuan, up 32.5%, and trade with Africa was 762.97 billion yuan, up 14.1%.
The region exported 6.23 trillion yuan of mechanical and electrical products, up 28.9% and 64.6% of its exports. Integrated circuit exports were 871.26 billion yuan, up 1.1 times, ship exports were 206.89 billion yuan, up 24.1%, auto exports were 507.28 billion yuan, up 68.2%, and high-end equipment exports were 570.55 billion yuan, up 18.4%.
Exports of the so-called new three products (electric vehicles, solar products and lithium batteries) reached 664.46 billion yuan, up 62.1% and about half of China's national total for these goods.