China’s exports return to growth in boost to shaky economy

Beijing | China’s exports and imports returned to growth in April after contracting sharply the previous month, customs data showed on Thursday, signalling an improvement in demand at home and overseas as Beijing tries to boost the economy’s shaky recovery.

The data confirm signs that global demand is strengthening, and will also provide a boost to domestic growth. Beijing is relying on strong sales abroad to offset weak consumer spending at home, where a real estate slump has led households to tighten their belts.

Bloomberg and Reuters