Exports from China exports rebounded in December, but imports shrank in a sign of weak domestic demand. Total trade in 2014 grew just 3.4 percent, well below the official 10 percent target.
Exports rose 9.7 percent in December to $227.5 billion, up from the previous month’s unexpectedly low 4.7 percent growth, customs data showed Tuesday. Imports reduced by 2.4 percent to $177.9 billion, better than November’s surprise 6.7 percent contraction but even so, a sign of weak demand.
Chinese demand for imported oil, iron ore, food and other goods has cooled as economic growth slowed.
For the full year, exports rose 6.1 percent to $2.3 trillion compared with 2013 while imports rose just 0.4 percent.
Major markets for Chinese goods including the United States should recover slightly this year, so increasing potential for Chinese exports.