Guangdong's Nine Mainland Greater Bay Area Cities Post 21.9% Trade Growth in First Eight Months

The nine mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area recorded a 21.9% year-on-year increase in imports and exports during the first eight months of 2026, according to 央视网 (CCTV).

The figure covers January through August and was reported by the state broadcaster on Friday, September 11, 2026. CCTV did not break the total down by city, product category or trading partner in the material available.

The nine mainland cities in the region are Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing. Together they form the mainland portion of the Greater Bay Area, a grouping that also includes Hong Kong and Macao.

The reported growth adds to a run of trade data from the region this year. It also comes as Chinese exporters continue to navigate shifting global demand and trade policy conditions.

greater bay area

CCTV's report did not state the total value of the trade or compare the pace with earlier months of 2026, so it is not yet clear from this report alone whether the expansion accelerated or slowed over the period.

What to watch next: whether customs authorities or CCTV publish a fuller breakdown of the eight-month figures, including totals by city and by export destination, which would show where the growth is concentrated.