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China-Rep. of Korea Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $308.71B total volume •China deficit: $14.54B

China → Rep. of Korea

$147.09B

Exports (2023)

Rep. of Korea → China

$161.63B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$14.54B

Deficit for China

Total Trade

$308.71B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between China and Rep. of Korea. 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-Rep. of Korea commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

China → Rep. of Korea Exports

$147.09B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Highly Diversified
Market Share:
10.3% top product
1Electronic integrated circuits: memories
$15.22B
10.3% of exports
2Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)
$7.85B
5.3% of exports
3Lithium oxide and hydroxide
$4.46B
3.0% of exports
4Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks
$3.77B
2.6% of exports
5Phosphides, chemically defined or not, not ferrophosphorus: other inorganic compounds n.e.c. (including distilled, conductivity water and water of like purity): liquid air, rare gases removed or not: compressed air: amalgams, not precious metal amalgams
$2.69B
1.8% of exports
6Salts: of inorganic acids or peroxoacids, other than double or complex silicates, including aluminosilicates, whether or not chemically, excluding azides
$2.45B
1.7% of exports
7Granite: articles thereof, (other than simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface)
$1.93B
1.3% of exports
8Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a display
$1.62B
1.1% of exports
9Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits
$1.46B
1.0% of exports
10Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or not: puzzles of all kinds
$1.43B
1.0% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

China's export portfolio to Rep. of Korea demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with electronic integrated circuits: memories representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

Rep. of Korea → China Imports

$161.63B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Well Diversified
Critical Imports:
21.3% concentration
1Electronic integrated circuits: memories
$34.45B
21.3% of imports
2Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits
$18.49B
11.4% of imports
3Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542
$9.08B
5.6% of imports
4Reception and transmission apparatus: for use with the apparatus of heading no. 8525 to 8528, excluding aerials and aerial reflectors
$6.88B
4.3% of imports
5Salts: of inorganic acids or peroxoacids, other than double or complex silicates, including aluminosilicates, whether or not chemically, excluding azides
$4.45B
2.8% of imports
6Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks
$4.10B
2.5% of imports
7Cyclic hydrocarbons: p-xylene
$4.05B
2.5% of imports
8Electronic integrated circuits: amplifiers
$3.51B
2.2% of imports
9Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils
$3.33B
2.1% of imports
10Machinery: parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the like) of the machines of heading no. 8471
$2.94B
1.8% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

China's import pattern from Rep. of Korea reveals strategic sourcingin electronic integrated circuits: memories, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

China demonstrates competitive strength in exportingelectronic integrated circuits: memories to Rep. of Korea, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 20+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Highly Balanced
📈

Growth Potential

The $308.71B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Major Partnership

Executive Summary: China-Rep. of Korea Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $308.71 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: China maintains a deficit of $14.54 billion
  • Export Focus: China's primary exports include electronic integrated circuits: memories, electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square), lithium oxide and hydroxide
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Rep. of Korea include electronic integrated circuits: memories, electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits, electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationDiversified
Trade Balance HealthBalanced

📈 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 $308.71B 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 electronic integrated circuits: memories.

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

1

Comparative Advantage

China's specialization in electronic integrated circuits: memoriescomplements Rep. of Korea's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in electronic integrated circuits: memories.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $308.71B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationLow
Market DependencyModerate
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $308.71B 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 $308.71 billion bilateral trade volume represents a major economic driverfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Critical
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in electronic integrated circuits: memories and electronic integrated circuits: memories demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Diversified
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

China's trade deficit of $14.54 billion impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Well Balanced

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square) present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on electronic integrated circuits: memories, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition in electronic integrated circuits: memories may affect future market positioning.

🎯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 Rep. of Korea represents a total trade volume of $308.71 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for China, with imports exceeding exportsby $14.54 billion.

Export Strengths

China's exports to Rep. of Korea total $147.09 billion, with competitive advantages in electronic integrated circuits: memories, representing $15.22B or10.3% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Rep. of Korea amount to $161.63 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in electronic integrated circuits: memories, with Electronic integrated circuits: memories comprising21.3% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates China's strategic sourcing from Rep. of Korea. 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 Rep. of Korea in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023