China Trade Data Beats Expectations

{{China’s exports and imports grew more than expected in April, offering the possibility of a better outlook for the world’s second-largest economy, but the figures failed to put an end to skepticism that financial maneuvering by exporters and speculative capital inflows are masking weakness in real demand.}}

China’s exports rose 14.7% in April, while imports grew 16.8%, leaving the country with a trade surplus of $18.16 billion for the month, the Customs Administration said on Wednesday.

That compared with market expectations for a 10.3% rise in exports, a 13.9% increase in imports and a trade surplus of $15.1 billion.

From a month earlier, exports edged up 2.7% while imports fell 7.7%.

Chinese export data in recent months has seemed to signal to a gradual revival of external demand, though some analysts suspect exporters may have overstated their business to sneak funds into the country and avoid capital restrictions.

“I have no strong conviction whether the data reflects reality. We’ll focus on next Monday’s activities data,” said Zhiwei Zhang, chief China economist at Nomura in Hong Kong.

“China’s SAFE recently launched new rules to crack down against capital inflows disguised as trade payments. I’m suspicious about the trade data,” Zhang said, referring to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

The regulator released new rules on Sunday to crack down on hot money inflows disguised as trade payments.

{reuters}