Reuters
China's exports and imports returned to growth in April after falling last month, showing improvement in domestic and international demand as the Chinese government overcomes a number of challenges to revive its shaky economy.
Data suggests a flurry of policy support over the past few months may have helped stabilize fragile investor and consumer confidence, but analysts say they are unsure whether the upturn in trade is sustainable. He says no conclusion has been reached yet.
Customs figures released yesterday showed that shipments from China rose 1.5% in value terms last month from a year earlier, in line with expectations for an increase in a Reuters survey of economists. It fell 7.5% in March, the first negative decline since November.
Imports rose 8.4% in April, beating expectations for a 4.8% increase and reversing the 1.9% decline in March.
“Exports have returned to growth after contracting last month, but this is mainly due to a decline in the standard of comparison,” said Huang Zichun, China economist at Capital Economics.
Last month, the Politburo announced that it would step up support for the economy through prudent monetary policy, including through interest rates and bank reserve requirements, and active fiscal policy.
