China's exports and imports surge past expectations in September

Chinese-made cars are seen in specialised vehicle racks in preparation for loading onto ships for export, at the Taicang Port area of Suzhou Port, in China's eastern Jiangsu province on October 12, 2026. - | Afp | Getty ImagesBEIJING — China's exports grew by 36.3% in September from a year ago, their fastest pace since February, according to official data released Wednesday.Imports climbed by 31%, the fastest increase since June, the data showed, picking up from 28.2% in August.Both exports and imports exceeded estimates from a Reuters poll, of 25.5% and 24.5%, respectively. Earlier this year, China's exports and imports each grew at their fastest pace in five years.A surge in demand for China-made parts for data centers to power artificial intelligence has helped fuel exports, along with stabilization in tensions with the U.S., China's largest trading partner on a single-country basis."The resulting trade surplus of $133.5 billion, a record monthly high, underscores the continued strength of China's external sector despite lingering concerns over domestic demand," Hao Zhou, head of research and chief economist at Guotai Junan International Holdings, said in a note.Global scrutiny ...