00:00China's export growth slows in March as the Middle East conflict disrupts energy supplies and transport costs,
00:08weakening global demand and adding pressure to its external trade performance.
00:13Exports increased by just 2.5% in March, marking a five-month low and falling sharply from 21.8
00:21% surge in January and February.
00:25The slowdown exposed risk in Beijing's reliance on manufacturing to sustain economic growth,
00:31particularly during periods of heightened global uncertainty.
00:35Economists had expected export growth of 8.3%,
00:38while analysts said demand from major markets had weakened broadly due to uncertainty linked to the Iran conflict.
00:46China had entered 2026 with strong momentum,
00:49supported by high demand for artificial intelligence-related electronics,
00:53and other advanced technology products.
00:56That surge had raised expectations that China could surpass the previous year's record trade surplus of US$1.2 trillion
01:04before the recent slowdown emerged.
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