China Logistics Activity Expands for Fifth Month

China’s September economic indicators pointed to resilient external demand and improving logistics activity. Exports were forecast to rise 25.5% year over year, slightly faster than in August, with analysts citing demand for high-tech goods amid weak domestic consumption; the trade surplus was expected to edge lower. Separately, the e-commerce logistics index rose modestly as seasonal and festival spending lifted online orders, with business volumes in both urban and rural markets reaching their highest levels of the year. The broader logistics activity index also strengthened, remaining in expansion for a fifth straight month as business volumes and new orders increased, though demand varied by region.