China's exports fell in November by 2.2% compared with a year earlier. It was the first such decline in seven years. Overall, the country's economy is still expected to show growth of about 9% this year. Our Economics Correspondent Andrew Walker reports:

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The figures have been described by economists as dreadful and horrifying.

There was also an even sharper decline in China's imports - 18% compared with a year earlier. That in part reflects the fact that weakening sales overseas mean that the country's manufacturers have less need of imported raw materials.

Andrew Walker, BBC

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hit
negatively affected

sharp economic deterioration
the quick and significant worsening of the state of the economy

exports
goods and services that a country sells to customers in other countries

in recession
experiencing a period of two consecutive quarters, i.e. six months, when a country's economy is doing badly

there is less demand abroad for
fewer people in other countries want to buy

decline
becoming smaller, shrinking

imports
goods and services that a country buys from businesses in other countries

reflects
is a result/consequence of

weakening sales overseas
fewer people in other countries who buy goods and services

manufacturers
producers of goods

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