China’s foreign exchange reserves rose in January 2026, inching up to $3.399 trillion from $3.358 trillion recorded in December 2025, according to data updated on 7 February 2026.
The increase of $41 billion suggests a modest strengthening of China’s external buffer at the start of the year. While no additional details were provided on the drivers of the change, the higher reserve level may reflect valuation effects and shifts in global financial conditions impacting China’s reserve portfolio.
With reserves remaining well above the $3 trillion mark, the latest data underscores the continued scale of China’s FX stockpile as a key element of its financial stability framework and its capacity to manage external shocks.
