China’s equipment sector powers half of industrial export growth in H1 2026

China’s equipment manufacturing sector emerged as a key driver of the country’s industrial exports in the first half of 2026. Export deliveries rose 18.2% year‑on‑year, contributing almost 50 % of the overall increase in industrial exports. Shipments of wind‑turbine generators grew 35.6% and lithium‑ion batteries 37.6%, while automobile exports reached 5.096 million units, a 65.3% rise.

The sector’s value‑added production increased 6.4% YoY, accounting for 20 % of total industrial output above a size threshold and supplying 23.5 % of the growth in industrial value‑added output. Production of industrial robots jumped 28% and service robots 11.9%, highlighting expanding high‑tech manufacturing capabilities. Shipbuilding remains dominant, with Chinese‑built vessels representing over 90 % of the nation’s total in units, new orders, and order books.

These figures underscore the strong external demand for Chinese high‑technology equipment and the role of state‑supported industrial policy in sustaining export momentum.