China's exports, imports shoot up in MayJune 10, 2012 - 14:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - China's exports and imports shot up in May, but analysts cautioned the better-than-expected data released Sunday, June 10, was no cause for joy amid global economic woes and a slowdown in the Asian powerhouse, AFP reports. The strong figures come after China put in a poor economic performance in May and concerned policymakers cut interest rates for the first time in more than three years, as they look to spur growth. According to the customs agency, exports rose 15.3 percent on-year in May to $181.1 billion and imports increased 12.7 percent to $162.4 billion, slightly widening the trade surplus for the third consecutive month to $18.7 billion. This compares with a lackluster 4.9 percent increase in exports and 0.3 percent rise in imports in April. The figures widely defied analyst expectations - a hopeful sign for the world's second largest economy, which recorded poor data in May such as slower-than-expected growth in industrial output. A survey released by banking giant HSBC also indicated a contraction in Chinese manufacturing activity in May for the seventh consecutive month. Chinese policymakers are trying to place a greater emphasis on domestic demand to stimulate growth rather than maintaining a reliance on exports as the crisis in Europe - the country's largest export market - rages on. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |