Top 10 Chinese Cities Leading Exports in 2024

Top 10 Chinese Cities Leading Exports in 2024: Rankings, Data & Insights.

China’s total merchandise exports reached US$3.58 trillion in 2024, reinforcing its position as the world’s top exporter. Yet this vast sum isn’t spread evenly across the country. A handful of coastal and river-delta cities account for a disproportionate share of China’s trade, thanks to deep-water ports, industrial clusters, and global supply-chain links.

China’s Export Powerhouses: An Overview

Financial media outlet Yicai, using data from China’s General Administration of Customs for early 2023, ranks the top ten Chinese cities by import-export scale. More than half of these powerhouse cities sit in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions, highlighting the strategic advantage of these economic corridors.

Rank	City	Import & Export Scale (billion CNY)
1	Shanghai	681.56
2	Beijing	576.19
3	Shenzhen	466.17
4	Suzhou	341.38
5	Ningbo	186.60
6	Dongguan	168.20
7	Guangzhou	149.33
8	Xiamen	148.23
9	Qingdao	124.49
10	Tianjin	120.29

Deep-Dive into the Top 10

1: Shanghai

As China’s financial hub, Shanghai leads exports with 681.6 billion CNY. Its Yangshan deep-water port—the world’s busiest container terminal—anchors high-value shipments in electronics, automotive parts, and petrochemicals.

2: Beijing

China’s capital not only governs but also exports 576.2 billion CNY of goods, ranging from aerospace components to high-end machinery. Beijing’s robust logistics network connects inland provinces to global markets.

3: Shenzhen

From one of China’s first Special Economic Zones, Shenzhen exports 466.2 billion CNY of consumer electronics, semiconductors, and telecom gear. Proximity to Hong Kong and a tech-startup boom fuel its growth.

4: Suzhou

With 341.4 billion CNY in trade, Suzhou’s export strength lies in precision manufacturing—particularly in robotics, biopharma equipment, and automotive modules—served by Taicang Port and Suzhou Industrial Park.

5: Ningbo

Ningbo’s 186.6 billion CNY export volume is powered by its massive port—the second-largest in China by cargo tonnage—which handles steel, petrochemicals, and containerized electronics.

6: Dongguan

Dongguan ships 168.2 billion CNY of electronics and household appliances. Its cluster of small-and-medium enterprises specializes in PCB assembly, LED lighting, and smart-home components.

7: Guangzhou

Guangzhou’s 149.3 billion CNY exports span auto parts, textiles, and foodstuffs. The city’s Canton Fair—the world’s largest trade show—drives global B2B deals and year-round export orders.

8: Xiamen

Xiamen contributes 148.2 billion CNY, focusing on machinery, shoes, and petrochemical exports. Its free-trade zone leans on streamlined customs and cross-strait commerce with Taiwan.

9: Qingdao

Qingdao’s 124.5 billion CNY in exports are anchored by marine equipment, beer, and electronics. The port’s LNG terminals and container lines boost capacity for heavy industries and consumer goods alike

10: Tianjin

Tianjin rounds out the top ten with 120.3 billion CNY, exporting automobiles, aerospace parts, and steel products via its rapidly expanding port cluster east of Beijing.

Future Outlook

As China pivots toward high-tech, green energy, and services trade, we can expect:

• Emerging export centers: Chengdu and Chongqing in the west, leveraging inland ports and digital-economy zones.
• Upgraded manufacturing: 5G/AI-powered “smart factories” in Suzhou and Dongguan.
• Sustainable logistics: Ningbo and Qingdao expanding LNG bunkering and electric-truck fleets.

These trends suggest China’s export geography will gradually broaden from its coastal heartlands to a more balanced national network—while the original top ten cities remain crucial trade engines.