Description:

China has reported an unexpected fall in its exports, putting pressure on the government as it pushes through a re-balancing of the economy.


According to the General Administration of Customs, exports fell 3.1 percent in June from a year earlier. The weak overseas demand for Chinese goods came as a surprise to analysts, many of whom had predicted an increase of around 4 percent. Imports over the same period fell by 0.7 percent, pointing to subdued domestic demand. The overall assessment was downbeat.