30% of the value of manufacturing worldwide is produced in China — REPORT

A report by China Briefing, a regional Asian publication, has revealed that China contributed about 30 percent of the global manufacturing value in 2023, reinforcing its status as the world’s manufacturing powerhouse.

Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of China’s economy, with the sector’s added value accounting for 26.2 percent of the country’s total GDP in 2023. According to China Briefing’s 2024-25 Manufacturing Tracker, manufacturing GDP in the first half of 2024 (H1’24) reached $2.34 billion, a 6.3 percent increase from the same period in 2023, making up around 27 percent of total GDP.

The report emphasized that despite China’s gradual shift towards a more service-oriented and high-tech economy, manufacturing continues to be a major driver of economic growth, contributing significantly to employment, innovation, and export revenue.

Data from both the World Bank and China’s General Administration of Customs shows that manufacturing exports constitute over 90 percent of China’s total exports. In 2023, China exported approximately $3.68 trillion worth of manufacturing products, making up 98 percent of the total $3.71 trillion in goods exported.

China also hosts over 2,000 industry clusters—specialized areas where businesses and industries are concentrated to encourage collaboration and competition. These clusters often focus on specific sectors such as electronics, textiles, automotive manufacturing, and aviation, among others.