China's import growth outpaced export expansion by nearly 9 percentage points in the first five months of 2026, underpinned by robust domestic demand and broader market-opening measures, economists and government officials said on Tuesday.

They said two key policy initiatives will sustain strong import momentum throughout the year. The Ministry of Commerce's "Big Market for All: Export to China" campaign has broadened access to China's vast consumer and industrial markets for global exporters. The government's expanded zero-tariff treatment for all African countries that have diplomatic ties with China, which took effect on May 1, is also expected to support import growth.