Exports from China increased in May thanks to firmer global demand, data showed on Sunday, but an unexpected fall in imports signalled weaker domestic demand which may continue to weigh on the world’s second-largest economy.
Exports rose 7 per cent in May from the previous year. Imports fell 1.6 per cent, versus a rise of 0.8 per cent in April, the General Administration of Customs said.
China’s trade surplus widened sharply to $35.9 billion in May from April’s $18.5 billion, the customs office said.
This compares with market expectations in a Reuters poll of a 6.6 per cent rise in exports, a 6.1 per cent rise in imports and a monthly trade surplus of $22.6 billion.