July 10, 2013
Translated by Tian Shaohui

The value of China's exports and imports declined by 3.1 percent and 0.7 percent respectively year-on-year in June, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs earlier today.

The trade figures were also well below market expectations.

"Especially sluggish export shows that China's economy is under increasingly greater downturn pressure," said Li Huiyong, chief analyst with Shenyin Wanguo Securitie(申银万国证券). "External demand remain weak."

Zheng Yuesheng (郑跃声), the spokesperson for the General Administration of Customs, appeared to agree with Li's analysis, telling Phoenix Television in an interview that "The recovery of America's economy and the appreciation of the U.S. dollar doesn't necessarily mean that China's exports will improve."

Though Zheng Yue said that various trade frictions, increased labor costs and a stonger currency had all impacted exports, several analysts, like Zhang Yongjun (张永军) of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said that the ongoing crackdown on fraudulent trading activities had also affected the export data.

Links and Sources
General Administration of Customs: June Trade Data
Sina: 6月出口同比下降3.1% 创44个月新低