Taiwan’s Mainland China, Hong Kong Trade Rises Both Ways in September

What changed

Taiwan’s trade with mainland China and Hong Kong strengthened in both directions in September. Exports rose 30.2% year on year to $20.62 billion, while imports climbed 59.1% to $13.5 billion. Electronic components led the export increase, up $3.49 billion.

Why it matters

The numbers show a busy technology supply chain running in both directions, even as Taiwan’s authorities warn that trade policy and geopolitics could make the outlook less predictable.

Taiwan’s exports to mainland China and Hong Kong reached about $60.95 billion in the third quarter, up 34.3%, and about $160.09 billion in the first nine months, up 28.5%. Across all markets, Taiwan’s January-to-September exports rose 46.2% to $661.55 billion.

The strongest force identified so far is demand connected to artificial intelligence. Taiwan’s authorities also pointed to restocking ahead of new consumer-electronics launches and higher product prices. Imports rose sharply as the global AI industry divided work across supply chains, keeping demand strong for electronic components, information and communications products, and semiconductor equipment.

That makes the September figures more than a simple export rebound. They point to deeper activity around advanced technology, but the exact split between higher shipment volumes and higher prices remains unclear. Future momentum will depend partly on whether AI-related investment continues while global trade rules and geopolitical conditions remain unsettled.