China's weak trade data continues to disappoint

CHINA's exports and imports fell unexpectedly in March, continuing a spate of disappointing economic data and raising concerns that the world's second-largest economy may miss its full-year target.

Exports were down 6.6 per cent from March 2013, following an 18 per cent year-on-year fall in February. Imports slipped 11.3 per cent, reversing a 10 per cent rise in February. The trade surplus for the month rebounded to US$7 billion from a US$23 billion deficit a month earlier.

Markets had expected a growth of 4.2 per cent in exports and 2.8 per cent in imports.