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Russia-China trade turnover up 25% year-on-year in January-June to $135 bln
Russia-China trade turnover rose 25% year-on-year in the first half of 2026 to $135 billion, according to Russian and Chinese officials. Chinese customs data shows a 26.3% increase for January-July, with total trade reaching $159.24 billion.
Trade turnover between Russia and China increased by 25% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, reaching $135 billion, according to the press service of the Far East and Arctic Development Corporation (FEDC). Zhou Liqun, Chairman of the Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Russia, was quoted as saying the full-year figure could surpass the 2025 level. The data was reported by TASS.
Coverage Comparison
Two reports from TASS—the Russian state news agency—provided the basis for this article. The first, citing FEDC and an expert quote, focused on the first-half figure and the optimistic outlook for continued growth. The second, based on official statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China, presented January-July trade data, which showed a slightly higher growth rate. Both reports relied on official statistics and attributed the numbers to named sources.
Key Claims
Trade turnover between Russia and China increased by 25% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, reaching $135 billion, as reported by FEDC via TASS.
The full-year trade turnover figure could surpass the 2025 level, Zhou Liqun was quoted as saying.
The number of Chinese enterprises in Russia's Far East is growing, alongside their operating income, Zhou Liqun said.
The Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) has become a key platform for interaction between Chinese and Russian businesses, Zhou Liqun added.
According to the General Administration of Customs of China, trade turnover between China and Russia grew by 26.3% in January-July 2026 year-on-year to $159.24 billion.
Supplies of Chinese products to Russia rose by 29.5% to $72.84 billion in the reporting period.
China imported goods worth $86.4 billion from Russia, an increase of 23.7%.
Russia's trade surplus with China totaled $13.56 billion over the seven-month period, 1.7% higher than in the same period of 2025.
Trade turnover between the two countries totaled $25 billion in July, an increase of 2.6% compared to June. Exports from China gained 7.1% during the month (to $12.25 billion), while shipments from Russia fell by 1.3% ($12.75 billion).
Both reports noted that trade turnover between China and Russia reached a record high in 2024, exceeding $244 billion, but contracted by 6.9% to $228.1 billion in 2025.
How this outlet told it
TASS — English
Framing: Economic growth — Informative
Facts Included:
Trade turnover between China and Russia grew by 26.3% in January-July 2026
Supplies of Chinese products to Russia rose by 29.5% to $72.84 bln
China imported goods worth $86.4 bln from Russia
Russia’s trade surplus with China totaled $13.56 bln
Trade turnover between the two countries totaled $25 bln in July
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimTrade turnover between China and Russia grew by 26.3% in January-July 2026 to $159.24 bln.