Exports decline for a second month in a row, losing 6.6 percentage points compared to last year. Imports down 11.3%. The government announces a mini-stimulus package for small businesses and railways.

Beijing ( AsiaNews) - Despite the reassurances of the central government during the last National People's Congress , China's economic data continue to show signs of weakness in the national economy . In March 2014 declined both imports and exports , raising fears of a possible recession in the second economy ( by size) in the world. Exports have lost 6.6 percentage points compared to March 2013, while imports fell by 11, 3%. This is the first time since 2009 that exports fall for two consecutive months : In February , 2014, the data showed a decline in exports of 18.1 % compared to last year.

The figures confirm analysts' fears of a generic "weakening" of the Chinese economy. In order to justify the decline in February, many had pointed to the festivities of the Lunar New Year which - traditionally - is the only period that factories and businesses close in China. But experts expect a recovery in March , which has not occurred.

Last week, the Chinese government announced a package "light" economic incentives, including greater public spending on rail infrastructure and tax relief for small businesses. But the government headed by Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang has made it clear that it will not continue to support "a possible economic bubble" and has relaxed its outlook on national growth , which it set "around" to 7.5 percentage points.

 

• CHINA
• ECONOMY
• DECLINE
• IMPORT
• EXPORT
• STIMULUS