China's export growth slows in August but imports pick up

Beijing

CHINESE exports grew slower than forecast in August, hit by weak global demand, but analysts said on Friday that a jump in imports indicated a pick-up domestically and points to a further improvement.

The figures follow a run of broadly positive readings in recent months, which have provided some optimism in the world's No 2 economy and key driver of global growth. Exports increased 5.5 per cent year on year, the Customs Administration said, down from 7.2 per cent in July and well off the 6 per cent in a Bloomberg News survey.