China exports dip further but import slide eases

Beijing

CHINA trade continued to contract in May amid weak global demand but imports fell at their slowest pace in 18 months - a sign that domestic consumption may be recovering.

Following release of the data, China's central bank said on Wednesday that it was predicting a second straight annual fall in export shipments, but remained upbeat on the outlook for the economy - which it expects to grow 6.8 per cent this year.