Tong Xiaoling Consul General
Consulate Office of China
3380 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC
604.734.7492
chinaconsul_van_ca@mfa.gov.cn
China’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 8.1% year on year in 2021, reaching 114 trillion yuan (about US$18 trillion). This accounted for more than 18% of global GDP and contributed approximately 25% of total global GDP growth.
- Drivers of growth: Final consumption contributed 65.4%, while net exports added 20.9%.
- Per capita GDP: About US$12,500, exceeding the global average.
- Employment: The urban unemployment rate averaged 5.1%, within the government’s target.
Trade & External Position
- Imports and exports: Total goods trade expanded 21.4% year on year, reaching 39.1 trillion yuan (US$6.05 trillion). Exports rose 21.2% to 21.7 trillion yuan (US$3.36 trillion), while imports grew 21.5% to 17.4 trillion yuan (US$2.69 trillion).
- Foreign exchange reserves: US$3.25 trillion at year-end 2021, the highest in six years.
- Foreign direct investment (FDI): Inbound FDI increased 14.9%, hitting a record 1.15 trillion yuan (US$173.5 billion). Outbound direct investment rose 2.2% to 936.7 billion yuan (US$145.2 billion).
China–Canada / China–British Columbia Trade
- China–Canada: Bilateral trade grew 12.5% to C$114.5 billion in 2021, setting a new record. Canada’s exports to China rose 14% to C$28.8 billion, while imports from China grew 12% to C$85.7 billion.
- China–British Columbia: Two-way trade surged 43% to C$27.8 billion. BC’s exports to China increased 64.7% to nearly C$10 billion, while imports from China climbed 33.4% to C$17.9 billion.
China remains Canada’s and BC’s second-largest trading partner, both as an export destination and import source.
- Deep manufacturing clusters and large consumer market
- Policy focus on food and energy security, industrial upgrading
- Mature logistics and supplier ecosystems
Priority sectors
- Advanced manufacturing
- Clean energy & grid
- Agrifood & food security
- Healthcare devices, Logistics
- Digital services
Entry points
Watch‑outs: Evolving data, procurement, and FDI rules; geopolitics
Why now: Food security, clean energy and industrial upgrading are priority spend areas
China International Import Expo
ciie.org/zbh/en
Contact of CIIE Supporting Organizer in BC/Yukon area:
Ms. Jeannie Cheng
President of Canada International Trade Promotion Society
Email: Hon_Au@shaw.ca
Cell: 7786681383
China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair
cantonfair.org.cn
China International Fair for Trade in Services
ciftis.org/en
China ABC
gov.cn/archive/chinaabc
Invest in China
fdi.mofcom.gov.cn/EN
gov.cn/services/investment
Doing Business in China
gov.cn/services/doingbusiness
