China contributed approximately 30 percent of the world’s manufacturing value in 2023, solidifying its role as a global leader in the industry, according to a recent report by China Briefing, a prominent regional Asian publication.
Manufacturing continues to be a fundamental pillar of China’s economy, with the sector’s value added making up 26.2 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023.
In its 2024-25 Manufacturing Tracker, China Briefing highlighted that during the first half of 2024, the manufacturing GDP reached $2.34 billion, marking a 6.3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023 and contributing to about 27 percent of China’s total GDP.
“Despite a gradual shift towards a more service-oriented and high-tech economy, manufacturing remains a key driver of China’s economic growth, providing substantial employment, innovation, and export revenue,” the report stated.
Data from the World Bank and China’s General Administration of Customs indicates that manufacturing exports dominate China’s total exports, accounting for over 90 percent.
In 2023, China exported approximately $3.68 trillion in manufacturing goods out of a total $3.71 trillion in goods exports, with manufacturing products comprising 98 percent of the total.
This significant share of manufacturing exports is primarily due to the exclusion of agricultural products from the total goods trade figures.
China’s manufacturing sector is bolstered by over 2,000 industry clusters, which are concentrated areas where businesses and industries collaborate and compete within specialized sectors like electronics, textiles, automotive production, and aviation.
