(Yicai) Oct. 15 -- China's export growth braked sharply last month, mainly as a result of short-term disruptions such as extreme weather and global shipping challenges as well as high export activity earlier in the year.

Exports rose 1.6 percent to CNY2.17 trillion (USD305 billion) in Chinese yuan terms in September from a year earlier, compared with a more-than-expected 8.4 percent jump in August, according to data released yesterday by the General Administration of Customs. Imports fell 0.5 percent to CNY1.58 trillion.

Export growth slowed due to short-term factors, such as extreme weather conditions and global shipping issues, as well as a high comparative base in August, global geopolitical tensions, and new import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in some countries, GAC spokesperson Lv Daliang said at a press briefing.

JPMorgan Chase's global manufacturing purchasing managers index, which closely reflects China's exports, fell to 48.8 in September from 49.5 in August, remaining below the halfway mark for the third consecutive month, said Feng Lin, director of the research and development department at Golden Credit Rating.

South Korean and Vietnamese export growth also slowed in the month, indicating an overall weakening in global shipments, Feng added.

Despite the Federal Reserve’s steep interest rate cut last month, prolonged high rates in the United States continue to hamper the economy, thereby affecting imports, Feng pointed out. The economic outlook for Europe and Japan also remains weak, and the global electronics sector may be nearing its peak, he added.

For the first nine months of the year, China's foreign trade in yuan terms jumped 5.3 percent to CNY32.33 trillion (USD4.54 trillion) from a year ago, according to the GAC. Exports soared 6.2 percent to CNY18.62 trillion, while imports rose 4.1 percent to CNY13.71 trillion.

Foreign trade totaled CNY10.15 trillion in the first quarter, CNY11 trillion in the second quarter, and CNY11.17 trillion in the third quarter, GAC Vice Minister Wang Lingjun said at yesterday’s press conference. "Foreign trade of over CNY10 trillion in each of the year's first three quarters and a total of more than CNY32 trillion over the first nine months are unprecedented figures,” he noted.

Editors: Shi Yi, Futura Costaglione