News · China manufacturing
What's moving in importing.
Shipping and freight rates, factories in China, trade fairs, UK import rules and the pound against the dollar. Short, sourced, and written for businesses bringing in full containers from China.
Chinese New Year 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February
Lunar New Year's Day 2027 is Saturday 6 February, according to Hong Kong's official holiday list. Mainland factory closures will centre on that date, so orders for early spring need planning now.
China's September exports jump 36.3% as factory-gate prices rise 5%
China's exports rose 36.3% in September to a record $447.18 billion, helped by a rush before Golden Week. Producer prices rose 5.0% year on year, led by mining and metals, while wood processing prices fell.
China to scrap export VAT rebates on bamboo products from 1 April 2027
China's Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration will remove export VAT rebates on 24 product codes, 20 of them bamboo goods, from 1 April 2027. The rebate on new energy vehicles falls from 13% to 9%.
China's official PMI returns to growth in September as input costs climb
The official manufacturing PMI rose to 50.1 in September, back above the 50 line, and the RatingDog PMI hit a five-month high of 52.1. Input price measures in both surveys rose sharply.
Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays close Chinese factories from 25 September
Mainland China's Mid-Autumn holiday runs from 25 to 27 September and the National Day Golden Week from 1 to 7 October. Sunday 20 September and Saturday 10 October are official make-up working days.
China's August exports rise 25% but growth to the EU slows to 6.6%
China's exports rose 25% year on year in August to about $401 billion, beating forecasts. Exports to the EU grew only 6.6%, while shipments to the US rose 34.4%.
China's factory surveys improve in August as raw material costs jump
The official PMI rose to 49.8 in August, with new orders back above 50, and the RatingDog PMI climbed to 51.5. Both surveys showed input costs rising, which the official data linked to oil and non-ferrous metals.
Guangdong raises minimum wages from 1 September, including Foshan and Dongguan
Guangdong's provincial government has raised minimum wages from 1 September 2026. Monthly rates rise to 2,300 yuan in Foshan, Dongguan, Zhuhai and Zhongshan, 2,680 yuan in Guangzhou and 2,700 yuan in Shenzhen.
Typhoon Dolphin hits Zhejiang as Wenzhou suspends work and production
Typhoon Dolphin made landfall at Yuhuan in Zhejiang on the evening of 9 August. Wenzhou ordered a citywide halt to work, production and transport, and Zhejiang suspended port operations.
China's July exports rise 23.9%, with shipments to the EU up about 16%
China's exports rose 23.9% year on year in July to about $397.9 billion, a little slower than June. Exports to the EU grew about 16%, while technology goods drove most of the gain.
China's factory surveys diverge in July as the official PMI falls to 49.2
The official manufacturing PMI fell to 49.2 in July from 50.3, back below the 50 line that separates growth from contraction. The private RatingDog index stayed in growth at 50.9 but hit a four-month low.
Typhoon Noul halts work and production across 12 Guangdong cities
Typhoon Noul, the strongest storm to make landfall in China so far this year, came ashore in Huizhou early on 26 July. Twelve Guangdong cities, including Guangzhou and Dongguan, suspended work, production and transport.
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