China says trade outlook challenging despite improved data

China today said its trade outlook remains "complex and grim" despite rebounds in the first two months of the year.

The Commerce Ministry's comments came after the world's second largest economy unexpectedly posted its first monthly trade deficit in three years last month as imports rose higher than expected amid improving growth momentum at home.

China's export growth was weaker than expected, partly due to the festival season influence, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

For the first two months, foreign trade in yuan- denominated terms grew 20.6 per cent year on year, with imports up 34.2 per cent, while exports climbed 11 per cent, according to customs statistics.
 

Commerce ministry spokesman Sun Jiwen said here the data for the first two months, usually distorted by seasonal factors, would not reflect the full-year trend.

"Looking ahead, the country still faces a complex and grim trade outlook with growing uncertainties," Sun said, adding that the trade challenges will remain for a while.