Sri Lanka-China, Hong Kong SAR Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $427.54M total volume •Sri Lanka deficit: $35.80M
Sri Lanka → China, Hong Kong SAR
$195.87M
Exports (2023)
China, Hong Kong SAR → Sri Lanka
$231.67M
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$35.80M
Deficit for Sri Lanka
Total Trade
$427.54M
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between Sri Lanka and China, Hong Kong SAR. Green line shows exports from Sri Lanka, red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Sri Lanka-China, Hong Kong SAR commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
Sri Lanka → China, Hong Kong SAR Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
Sri Lanka's export portfolio to China, Hong Kong SAR demonstrates strategic specialization, with aquatic invertebrates: sea cucumbers (stichopus japonicus, holothuroidea), dried, salted or in brine, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
China, Hong Kong SAR → Sri Lanka Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
Sri Lanka's import pattern from China, Hong Kong SAR reveals strategic sourcingin turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kn, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
Sri Lanka demonstrates competitive strength in exportingaquatic invertebrates: sea cucumbers (stichopus japonicus, holothuroidea), dried, salted or in brine, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process to China, Hong Kong SAR, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $427.54M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: Sri Lanka-China, Hong Kong SAR Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $427.54 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: Sri Lanka maintains a deficit of $35.80 million
- Export Focus: Sri Lanka's primary exports include aquatic invertebrates: sea cucumbers (stichopus japonicus, holothuroidea), dried, salted or in brine, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process, stones: rubies, sapphires and emeralds, worked (other than simply sawn or roughly shaped), not strung, mounted or set, boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from China, Hong Kong SAR include turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kn, fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04,and other than those made of wool, fine animal hair, cotton, synthetic or artificial fibres, fabrics: narrow (excluding pile fabrics), containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional 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 $427.54M 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 Sri Lanka leveraging its comparative advantages in aquatic invertebrates: sea cucumbers (stichopus japonicus, holothuroidea), dried, salted or in brine, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process.
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
Sri Lanka's specialization in aquatic invertebrates: sea cucumbers (stichopus japonicus, holothuroidea), dried, salted or in brine, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking processcomplements China, Hong Kong SAR's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kn.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $427.54M bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $427.54M 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 $427.54 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in aquatic invertebrates: sea cucumbers (stichopus japonicus, holothuroidea), dried, salted or in brine, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process and turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kn demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
Sri Lanka's trade deficit of $35.80 million 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 Sri Lanka and China, Hong Kong SAR represents a total trade volume of $427.54 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Sri Lanka, with imports exceeding exportsby $35.80 million.
Export Strengths
Sri Lanka's exports to China, Hong Kong SAR total $195.87 million, with competitive advantages in aquatic invertebrates: sea cucumbers (stichopus japonicus, holothuroidea), dried, salted or in brine, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process, representing $15.15M or7.7% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from China, Hong Kong SAR amount to $231.67 million, highlighting economic interdependence in turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kn, with Turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN comprising13.9% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Sri Lanka's strategic sourcing from China, Hong Kong SAR. 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 Sri Lanka and China, Hong Kong SAR in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023