Strong trade figures export new optimism

China reported surprisingly good trade figures yesterday, offering fresh evidence that the world's third-largest economy is well on the road to recovery and suggesting global demand is improving.

Exports from China fell in September by 15.2 percent compared to the same period last year, which was much better than analysts had expected. Forecasters were braced for a 21 percent fall.

And there was more good news, with imports falling by just 3.5 percent compared to September 2008, far better than the anticipated 15.3 percent decline, reported the General Administration of Customs.