Tough times for exporters

Shipments dropping as manufacturing is losing advantage

Although China's foreign trade showed signs of a recovery during the first three quarters of the year, and emerging markets offer fresh opportunities, shipments to major partners are dropping and the nation is losing its manufacturing advantage.

The United States market is looking resilient, but that's not enough to offset weakness in Europe, said exhibitors at the 114th Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, which opened on Tuesday.