China's exports return to decline, import growth eases

China's exports fell back into contraction again last month, signaling renewed weakness for the world's second biggest economy.
Customs data posted today showed that exports shrank 6.1 percent to USD 209.4 billion in December compared with the year-ago period.
The latest numbers mark a return to a long term downward trend amid tepid global demand. In November, China's exports eked out a 0.1 per cent expansion after shrinking for nine straight months.
Imports rose 3.1 per cent to $168.5 billion, slowing from a 6.7 per cent rise the month before.
The figures cap a dismal year for Chinese trade, with combined imports and exports contracting 6.8 per cent.

Slumping trade adds to pressure on China's communist leaders trying to shore up weakening growth in the economy.