China trade data for August:

China August trade data, yuan terms:

China trade balance: +376.3bn yuan 

• vs. expected CNY 495.5bn, prior was CNY 362.7bn

Exports +15.7% y/y: 

• expected 22.5%, prior was 8.1%

Imports +23.1% y/y: 

• expected 9.1%, prior was 16.1%

USD terms

China trade balance $58.3bn 

• vs.  expected $51.0bn, prior was $56.6bn

Exports +25.6% y/y: 

• expected 17.1%, prior 19.3%

Imports +33.1% y/y : 

• expected 26.8%, prior was 28.1%

The decent size beat in imports will be taken as indicative of the economy performing better than has been indicated by the recent run of data.