BEIJING: China’s exports and imports rose marginally in April, official data showed yesterday, rebounding from sharp declines in March, but analysts saw a mixed outlook with the world’s second-largest economy in the grip of a growth slowdown.
Exports crept up 0.9 percent year-on-year to $188.54bn, the General Administration of Customs announced, while imports increased 0.8 percent to $170.09bn, resulting in a surplus of $18.45bn.
The figures come a month after Customs reported that China’s trade volumes fell dramatically in March, which analysts blamed on the continued impact of fake reporting of exports seen in early 2013. Concerns over growth have increased this year after a series of weaker-than-expected statistics, though trade distortions have partially clouded the situation.
The GDP grew 7.4 percent in the first three months of 2014, weaker than the 7.7 percent in October-December last year and the worst since a similar 7.4 percent expansion in the third quarter of 2012. AFP
