China’s Exports and Imports Return to Growth in April Despite Uneven Economic Recovery

China’s exports and imports have shown signs of growth in April, indicating a potential improvement in demand despite a rocky economic recovery. According to customs data released on Thursday, exports increased by 1.5% compared to the previous year, following a 7.5% decline in March. Imports also saw a significant surge of 8.4% in April, surpassing analysts’ expectations.

The Chinese government has implemented various policy support measures in recent months to stimulate growth and boost confidence in the economy. As a result, China’s trade surplus expanded to $72.35 billion in April, up from $58.55 billion in March.

While the latest data is encouraging, analysts caution that the global economic landscape remains uncertain. Zichun Huang of Capital Economics noted that export volumes may decline in the coming months due to weakening consumer spending in advanced economies. However, import volumes are expected to rebound further, supported by fiscal spending on construction projects.

The report also highlighted that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remained the largest destination for China’s exports, accounting for 16.9% of the total in the first four months of the year. Meanwhile, exports to the U.S. and the European Union experienced declines in April.

As China continues to navigate challenges such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a slowdown in the property sector, economists believe that achieving the government’s growth target of around 5% for this year will require additional policy support. Despite the uncertainties ahead, the latest data offers a glimmer of hope for China’s economic recovery.