UK-China Factfile

A selection of bilateral trade statistics are listed below. We will keep these updated and add to them over time, so you will always have the latest statistics at your fingertips.

Key China Facts

China is either the 3rd or 4th largest country in the world (depending on definitions of territory), roughly the same size as the United States.

China's population is 1.37 billion.

China is the second largest economy in the world in nominal US dollar terms.

Over the last 30 years, China has experienced uninterrupted growth averaging 10% per annum.

In 2010 China's economy grew by 10.3%

China became the world's largest goods exporter in 2009, ahead of Germany and the US.

China is the world's second largest goods importer.

There are currently around 220 million migrant workers in China.

China's urbanisation rate increased from 10.6% in 1949 to 49.7% in 2010. By 2050 the urbanisation rate should rise to around 75%.

The UK Context

UK:China trade reached $64 billion in 2010.

In November 2010 the UK and China agreed to increase the value of bilateral trade by 2015 to $100 billion p.a.

UK exports of goods and services to China in 2010 reached £9.7 billion.

A significant amount of UK-China trade goes via Hong Kong rather than directly. From January to July 2011 the value of UK re-exports to China reached HK$5,350,211, an increase of 10.1% on 2010.

China is the UK's 9th largest export goods market (in volume), and 10th in 2010 for goods and services.

Over half of China's exports are a result of foreign (including British) business locating part of their global manufacturing chain in China. This rises to 90% in high-tech sectors. 

There are 7 Chinese companies on LSE.

Discover more about opportunities for UK companies in China's regional cities.