Exports rose 5.6 percent in October from a year earlier, reversing a 0.3 percent slide in September and beating expectations for a much more modest rise, according to data from the Chinese customs administration. Imports confirmed that domestic demand was solid, rising 7.6 percent from a year earlier, a little more rapidly than the 7.4 percent recorded in September.

After a rocky patch earlier this year, China's economy has stabilized in recent months, echoing improvements in the United States, Japan and the long-beleaguered euro zone. Friday's data confirmed that the steady "” though not stellar "” expansion in the Chinese economy in recent months has continued into the start of the fourth quarter.

The data "restores the export growth momentum that was evident in July and August export figures," Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief economist at IHS Global Insight, said in a note.

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