CHINA's annual export growth may have picked up slightly in April due to a low comparison from a year ago, while import growth probably eased, suggesting the underlying momentum for both the domestic and global economies remains tepid according to the median forecast of 27 economists polled by Reuters.  

Economists have said that the likely uptick in the year on year export figure cannot mask weakness in real external demand, given the patchy recovery in the U.S. and no quick turnaround for the euro zone. Recent data including Korea's exports data and global leading indicators have been indicating weaker external demand growth momentum.  

The sequential exports growth rate is expected to be low. Nevertheless, year on year growth is likely to show a modest rebound, due to a low base. China's exports likely grew 10.3 percent in April from a year ago, up from an increase of 10 percent in March.Imports were seen rising 13.9 percent last month, down from a rise of 14.1 percent in March. That would leave an estimated trade surplus of $15.1 billion, compared with a slight trade deficit of $0.88 billion in March.