China's imports weak in sign recovery is stalling

China’s import growth recovered slightly in September but was weak, suggesting that a recovery for the world’s second-largest economy from a painful slump has yet to take hold.

Imports rose 2.4 percent, an improvement over August’s unexpected 2.6 percent contraction but well below the government’s 10 percent target for overall trade growth this year, customs data showed Saturday. Exports rose by a relatively robust 9.9 percent despite economic problems in Europe and the United States.

The data add to indications that Chinese industrial activity is still weak despite two interest rate cuts since the start of June and higher spending on building airports and other public works.

Forecasters expect a slight decline in economic growth to about 7.3 percent when figures for the latest quarter are reported this week. The World Bank cut its growth forecast for China this year to 7.7 percent from its May outlook of 8.2 percent.

The World Bank said China faces the risk of an even deeper downturn if conditions in its key export markets worsen.

Chinese factory output in August fell to a three-year low. Manufacturing improved in September but still was contracting. September auto sales shrank by 0.3 percent, extending a steady decline from double-digit growth levels earlier this year.

The slowdown is due largely to government curbs imposed to cool an overheated economy. Imports of iron ore fell 11.8 percent from a year earlier, imports of rubber were down 22.8 percent and those of steel products were off 16.2 percent, according to the General Administration of Customs of China.