China’s imports up 22% in first eight months, full-year record seen

The headline number is the fastest import growth since 2021, but the more telling detail is the official projection of a full-year record — that signals Beijing expects the momentum to hold rather than fade in the fourth quarter. For commodity and RWA markets, China's import appetite is the single biggest swing factor in global demand, and a sustained acceleration would matter well beyond trade statistics. Whether the pace continues into year-end, and which categories drive it, is the open question the briefing left unanswered.