China-Saudi Arabia Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $107.19B total volume •China deficit: $20.46B
China → Saudi Arabia
$43.36B
Exports (2023)
Saudi Arabia → China
$63.83B
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$20.46B
Deficit for China
Total Trade
$107.19B
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between China and Saudi Arabia. Green line shows exports from China, red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the China-Saudi Arabia commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
China → Saudi Arabia Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
China's export portfolio to Saudi Arabia demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
Saudi Arabia → China Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
China's import pattern from Saudi Arabia reveals strategic sourcingin oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
China demonstrates competitive strength in exportingtelephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks to Saudi Arabia, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $107.19B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: China-Saudi Arabia Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $107.19 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: China maintains a deficit of $20.46 billion
- Export Focus: China's primary exports include telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks, electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led), communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from Saudi Arabia include oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, alcohols: acyclic, diols: ethylene glycol (ethanediol), ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents one of the world's largest trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.
Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context
Trade Evolution Timeline
2019-2023: Recent Trends
Current trade volume of $107.19B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.
2015-2019: Growth Period
Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with China leveraging its comparative advantages in telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks.
2010-2015: Foundation Building
Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.
Pre-2010: Early Development
Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.
Key Economic Drivers
Comparative Advantage
China's specialization in telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networkscomplements Saudi Arabia's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $107.19B bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $107.19B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.
Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook
Economic Impact Assessment
Trade Volume Impact
The $107.19 billion bilateral trade volume represents a major economic driverfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks and oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
China's trade deficit of $20.46 billion impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.
Strategic Future Outlook
🚀Growth Opportunities
⚠️Risk Factors
🎯Strategic Recommendations
- Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
- Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
- Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
- Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs
Market Position & Competitive Summary
The bilateral trade relationship between China and Saudi Arabia represents a total trade volume of $107.19 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for China, with imports exceeding exportsby $20.46 billion.
Export Strengths
China's exports to Saudi Arabia total $43.36 billion, with competitive advantages in telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks, representing $3.16B or7.3% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from Saudi Arabia amount to $63.83 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, with Oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude comprising84.4% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates China's strategic sourcing from Saudi Arabia. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.
Download Bilateral Trade Data
Access detailed trade data between China and Saudi Arabia in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023