China's exports fall most in three years as global economy struggles

Workers at a garment factory in Guangzhou. — Bloomberg

BEIJING: China's exports fell the most in three years in June, slumping a worse-than-expected 12.4% year-on-year, as signs mount of stress from the struggling global economy and Chinese policymakers face growing pressure for stimulus measures.

Imports also fell more than expected, down 6.8%, customs data showed on Thursday. A Reuters poll of economists had forecast exports to have shrunk 9.5% and imports to have fallen 4.0%.