Sept trade surplus reveals further fall

BEIJING - China's trade surplus shrank for a second straight month in September, as the world's second-largest economy faces challenges ranging from a rising yuan to weakening external demand.

The trade surplus dropped 12.4 percent year-on-year in September to $14.5 billion, with both imports and exports lower than expected, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC) on Thursday.

Sluggish demand from the major economies, currency appreciation and rising protectionism will hit trade prospects, GAC deputy chief Lu Peijun said.