Chinese import and export figures experienced a further increase during August 2017, although performance compared to forecasts delivered a more mixed picture.

During the month, Chinese imports were up by 13.3 percent in dollar terms, while exports rose by 5.5 percent. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected exports to be up by six percent, but import forecasts of ten percent were exceeded considerably.

As such, China's August trade balance came to $41.99 billion (€34.8 billion).

The relative underperformance of Chinese exports reflected a softening of global demand momentum, but the better-than-expected import figures offer an indication that the country's economy is in strong shape.

Louis Kuijs, head of Asian economics at Oxford Economics, said: "The strong import data suggests that domestic demand may be more resilient than expected in the second half."

Heading into the final months of the year, a planned crackdown on debt and anticipated leadership changes are expected to have an effect on China's overall economic performance.