To economic news now....China's foreign trade declined slightly in April, but exports showed continued growth. Data from the General Administration of Customs shows foreign trade was down slightly last month year-on-year, at nearly two trillion yuan. That includes exports of over one trillion yuan- up by 4 percent on the period- and over 800 billion yuan of imports, which were down by nearly six percent on a year ago.

Over the past four months, China's foreign trade has dropped 4 percent year-on-year, to just over 7 trillion yuan. Exports were down 2 percent and imports plunged 7.5 percent. The trade surplus has increased to over one trillion yuan.

The European Union, United States and ASEAN were China's top three trade partners in the last four months. But only trade with the EU saw an increase, of a modest 0.3 percent. Trade with the US and ASEAN dropped by nearly 5 percent and 3 percent respectively.