中國12月貿易增長有所放緩

New trade figures released by the Chinese government indicate the world's second-largest economy is slowing. Monthly data released Tuesday by the Customs Bureau indicates growth rate for imports was 11.8 percent in December, about half the 22.1 percent increase in November. Exports increased 13.4 percent last month, compared to the 13.8 percent rise in November. China's trade surplus rose from $14.5 billion in November to $16.5 billion last month. The surplus was $155.2 billion for all of 2011, the third straight annual decline after reaching a record $298 billion in 2008.

中國政府公佈的新貿易數據表明，這個世界第二大經濟體的增速正在放緩。中國海關總署星期二公佈的月度數據顯示，12月份進口增長速度是11.8%，大約是 11月份22.1%的一半。12月的出口增長13.4%，低於11月的13.8%。中國貿易順差從11月份的145億美元，上升到12月的165億美元。不過， 中國2011年總順差爲1552億美元，在2008年創紀錄的2980億美元之後，已經連續下降三年。

China's economy has been affected by the European sovereign debt crisis and sluggish U.S. economy, which has cut demand for Chinese-made goods. Beijing has responded by reducing the amount of cash reserves banks must maintain in order to spur corporate lending.

中國經濟受到歐洲主權債務危機和美國疲弱經濟對中國商品需求減少的影響。與此同時，北京減少銀行必須持有的現金儲備量，以便帶動企業貸款。