Weak demand causes China's Feb exports and imports to tumble

Beijing

CHINA'S exports tumbled by more than 25 per cent in February, adding to Beijing's woes, struggling to impose reform while averting a sharp slowdown of the economy.

Exports dropped by 25.4 per cent in dollar terms, its biggest monthly drop in nearly seven years while imports fell by 13.8 per cent last month, far under analysts' expectations.

For the two months from January to February, combined exports declined by 17.9 per cent, led by weak demand from all of China's trade partners.

China's customs administration yesterday noted in a statement a stronger-than-expected drop in exports of labour-intensive goods, including mechanical and electrical products and…