"China's export growth fizzled in September to post a surprise fall, data showed, a disappointing end to a recent run of indicators that had signalled the world's No. 2 economy was gaining strength.
The Customs Administration said on Saturday China's exports dropped 0.3 percent in September on the year, sharply confounding market expectations for a rise of 6 percent, and marking the worst performance in three months.
Beijing has a growth target of 7.5 percent for 2013, which would be the weakest rate in more than 20 years, and has vowed to accept slower growth as it tries to reshape the economy so that it is driven by consumer demand, rather than investment, credit and exports.
The recent upswing of China's economic activity has significantly boosted import demand for oil and other commodities," analysts said.
"But there are now concerns on whether the recent improvement in the economy is going to fade."
Source: Reuters
