AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan
BEIJING — China’s August export growth accelerated, adding to signs of a gradual economic recovery, while import growth weakened.
The customs agency reported Sunday that exports rose 7.2 percent, accelerating from July’s 5.1 percent. Imports rose 7 percent, but that was down from July’s 10.9 percent.
Stronger sales of Chinese goods abroad are a positive sign for communist leaders who want to avoid job losses in export-driven manufacturing.
China’s economic growth fell to a two-decade low of 7.5 percent in the second quarter, but the latest industrial data suggest the slowdown might be leveling out.
Surveys show manufacturing expanded in August but export orders declined due to weak U.S. and European demand. Construction and investment in factories and other assets also has improved, due to higher government spending.