China exports grew nearly 10 percent, faster than expected

Chinese exports grew faster than expected in September at 9.9 percent from the same month a year earlier.

The sharp rise in exports was a surprise to economists as economic problems in the United States and Europe, China's main export markets, still face financial troubles.

The New York Times reported that the increase was likely due to rising demand in the US, which is up 5.5 percent from the same month last year.

“We are beginning to see some improvement in the US. market — the second half of this year is looking better than the first half, with our US. orders up by roughly 8 to 10 percent,” Dora Zhao, the sales manager at the Zhuhai Xiangrui Safety Home Appliance Company, told the Times.

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The increase meant a further widening of the trade surplus with the rest of the world.

Though imports also increased by 2.4 percent, China's trade surplus inched to $27.7 billion in September, said Voice of America.

Tensions with China have been ratcheted up during the US election.

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney has stated that he would be more confrontational with China in ensuring the rules are followed.