CIIE Photo:VCG

The per capita import of consumer goods in China has doubled during the past decade, and China has been ranking as the world's second largest import nation for 13 consecutive years, according to a report jointly issued by Nanjing University and Beijing Normal University on Friday. 

In 2021, China's per capita import of consumer goods reached $180, compared with $80 in 2011 and $8 in 2001, the report said. 

The expansion in import volume is remarkable over the past 10 years. Last year, China's imports reached a total of 17.36 trillion yuan, gaining 51.23 percent from a decade ago. The country's share of global imports reached 11.9 percent in 2021, and it surpassed Germany to become the world's second largest import country in 2009. 

The marked jump in imports is attributable to a number of policies adopted by the Chinese government to actively boost imports, as well as multiple domestic platforms being set up to facilitate imports, such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's biggest import fair. 

The 5th CIIE opened in Shanghai on Saturday. A total of 145 countries, regions and international organizations have signed up for the annual trade fair, including developed countries and developing countries. Companies from 127 countries and regions took part in the business and commercial exhibitions while 66 countries and three international organizations made their presence at the event, outnumbering last year's participation.

In terms of destinations for imports, the report said import structure has been improving with China's central and western regions now accounting for 9.76 percent of the total imports, compared with 6.39 percent in 2012. The country's eastern region remains the main destination for imports. 

Entities facilitating imports are now shifting to foreign-invested firms as well as privately-run companies, according to the report.

Global Times