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China factory activity accelerates as Iran war risks drive exporters to ship early
International
Published on 30 April 2026
Exporters rushed orders ahead of possible higher costs
China’s factory activity expanded for a second straight month in April, helped by exporters bringing shipments forward amid rising Iran conflict risks. New export orders hit a two-year high, underscoring demand for Chinese goods. Yet weak domestic demand keeps pressure on exports, while higher energy prices threaten to squeeze margins and future growth.
- April marked a second consecutive month of factory expansion in China
- Exporters shipped earlier due to fear of rising costs tied to Iran risks
- New export orders climbed to a two-year high
- Energy price hikes and weak domestic demand create headwinds
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times