Reflecting the global digital revolution, the leader in both sales and asset growth among these world-class Chinese businesses was iconic ecommerce portal Alibaba.
To give some context from an international trade perspective, the value of China’s exported goods appreciated by 9.5% from US$2.282 trillion in 2015 to $2.499 trillion reported for 2019. From 2018 to 2019, sales of Chinese exported products appreciated by 0.2%.
In the analysis below, we compare 10 of China’s major exports-related businesses based on asset values, sales and profitability. Also specified is the Chinese city where multinational has its headquarters. Excluded are Chinese financial institutions or multinationals headquartered in China’s Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong.
China’s Top 10 Major Export Companies
- Assets
- Sales
- Profit
- Headquarters
Assets
Below are China’s biggest export companies organized by asset value. Shown within parentheses is the primary industry in which each company operates. Also shown is the change in asset value as of December 2019 compared to 2018.
- PetroChina (oil, gas): US$392.3 billion, up 2.9% from 2018
- Sinopec (oil, gas): $254.8 billion, up 2%
- Alibaba (global commerce): $189.4 billion, up 66.1%
- SAIC Motor (car/truck makers): $121.9 billion, up 3%
- Fosun International (iron, steel): $102.7 billion, up 25.2%
- China Shenhua Energy (coal, electricity): $80.8 billion, down -11.4%
- China National Building (construction materials): $64.1 billion, up 20.3%
- CRRC (heavy equipment): $55.9 billion, down -5.6%
- Baoshan Iron & Steel (iron, steel): $48.3 billion, down -14.1%
- China Shipbuilding Industry (heavy equipment): $26.2 billion, down -18.1%
Six of the above Chinese multinationals grew their asset values from 2018 to 2019. The fastest grower was global e-commerce pioneer Alibaba via its 66.1% advance. The other double-digit gains belong to iron and steel producer Fosun International (up 25.2%) and construction materials supplier China National Building (up 20.3%).
There were four decliners year over yea: heavy equipment firm China Shipbuilding Industry (down -18.1%), Baoshan Iron & Steel (down -14.1%), coal and electricity producer China Shenhua Energy (down -11.4%) and heavy equipment specialist CRRC (down -5.6%).
Sales
Profit
Headquarters
Note: Some of the above company offerings may include products beyond the principal category shown within parenthesis under the Assets tab.
For example, PetroChina is well-known for supplying crude oil and natural gas but also refines petroleum products, creates chemical goods and transports natural gas, crude oil and refined petroleum. As well, the energy giant offers business services such as research and development, cash management and financing related to its principal businesses.
See also China’s Top 10 Exports, China’s Top 10 Imports, Largest Oil and Gas Export Companies and Top Chinese Trade Balances
Research Sources:
Forbes Global 2000 individual company profiles, Example of largest China-based export company compiled for this study: PetroChina. Accessed on August 28, 2020
Forbes Global 2000 rankings list , The World’s Biggest Public Companies. Accessed on August 28, 2020
Forbes 2018 Global 2000, The Largest Companies in China in 2018. Accessed on August 28, 2020
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on August 28, 2020
MarketWatch, China National Building Material Co. Ltd, Annual Financials. Accessed on August 28, 2020
Wikipedia, List of largest Chinese companies. Accessed on August 28, 2020