China's September surplus down, customs figures show
Exports fell 0.3 per cent year-on-year to $US185.64 billion last month, while imports increased 7.4 per cent to $US170.44 billion, the figures said on Saturday.
The September trade result was worse than expected with a survey of analysts forecasting a trade surplus of $US27 billion.
China's trade performance is a key element of the country's economic growth figures, the latest of which for the third quarter through September are due for release next Friday.
A string of strong data in recent months, including for exports and industrial output, have suggested quarterly growth may accelerate, spurring optimism following a surprise downturn during the first half of the year.
For the first nine months of the year, customs said that exports increased 8 per cent to $US1.61 trillion, while imports increased 7.3 per cent to $US1.45 trillion.
The trade surplus for the period stood at $US169.4 billion, up 14.4 per cent, the figures showed.
China is coming off its worst annual economic performance since 1999.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
China's trade surplus decreased to $US15.2 billion in September from $US28.6 billion in August due to a slight drop in exports by 0.3% and a significant increase in imports by 7.4%.
The September trade figures were worse than expected, with analysts forecasting a trade surplus of $US27 billion, but the actual surplus was only $US15.2 billion.
China's trade performance is a crucial component of its economic growth figures. Strong trade data, including exports and industrial output, can indicate potential acceleration in quarterly growth.
For the first nine months of the year, China's exports increased by 8% to $US1.61 trillion, while imports rose by 7.3% to $US1.45 trillion, resulting in a trade surplus of $US169.4 billion.
China's trade surplus for the first nine months of the year increased by 14.4%, reaching $US169.4 billion, indicating a positive trend despite the September decline.
Optimism about China's economic growth is spurred by a string of strong data in recent months, including robust exports and industrial output, suggesting potential acceleration in quarterly growth.
A surprise downturn in the first half of the year initially dampened expectations, but recent strong data has led to optimism about potential growth acceleration in the third quarter.
The upcoming release of China's third-quarter economic growth figures is significant as it will provide insights into whether the recent strong trade and industrial data have translated into accelerated economic growth.
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