Exports fell in first three quarters, although overall picture showing signs of improvement

China's exports fell by 1.6 percent year-on-year to 10.06 trillion yuan ($1.49 trillion) in the first three quarters of the year, while overall trade performance improved on a quarterly basis, customs data showed on Thursday.

Foreign trade between January and September was down by 1.9 percent to 17.53 trillion yuan from a year earlier, with imports dropping by 2.3 percent to 7.47 trillion yuan, according to the General Administration of Customs.