Chinese exports and imports fall sharply in March

CHINA PORT AUTHORITY

 China's exports and imports fell sharply in March, adding to recent indicators pointing to a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy. 

The country's exports fell by 6.6% in March when compared with the previous year.

Imports dropped by 11.3% in the same month, when compared with the same time last year.

This is the second straight month of falling exports for China. In February, exports dropped by 18.1%.

It is the first time since 2009 that exports have fallen for two months in a row.