China's August exports grow a robust 8.7%, beating forecasts while imports soften

HONG KONG (AP) — China’s exports grew for a fifth consecutive month, in a sign of growing demand abroad even as imports fell amid a slowing Chinese economy.

Exports in August expanded by 8.7% to $308.65 billion compared to the same period last year, according to data released by China’s customs office Tuesday, beating economists’ estimates of about 6.5%. The export figures for August were also up from the 7% rise in July.

The reading in August is the strongest in 18 months, thanks in part to a low base in August 2023, when exports declined 8.8%.

By comparison, imports grew just 0.5% compared to a year ago, falling short of the approximately 2% estimate by economists.