China August imports up 1.5%, exports down 2.8%

Beijing

CHINA'S trade figures surprised on the upside with imports stalling their almost two-year drop in August.

Last month, China's imports rose 1.5 per cent year-on-year in US dollar terms. That compares with a 12.5 per cent drop in July.

Exports were also better than expected, falling by 2.8 per cent to reach US$190.6 billion.

The trade surplus in August fell 13.6 per cent from last year to US$52 billion.

The upbeat data supports recent signs that the world's second largest ec…