(Yicai Global) Sept. 7 -- Stock markets on China's mainland narrowed their early losses after the government announced trade data for last month that shows unexpectedly robust growth of exports even as the Covid-19 pandemic slams the global economy.

The large-cap heavy Shanghai Composite Index closed 0.16 percent down at 3,350.03 at the lunch bell, while the Shenzhen Component Index stood at 13,555.54, down 0.74 percent. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, dipped 1.15 percent to 2,700.63.

China's overall trade was about USD411.6 billion, up 4.2 percent from a year ago in August, including exports of USD235.3 billion, up 9.5 percent, and USD176.3 billion in imports, which dipped 2.1 percent , the General Administration of Customs announced today.

Economists surveyed by Yicai Global projected a 5.64 percent gain in export volume and a 0.06 percent rise in imports for the month. Exports climbed 7.2 percent in July while imports dipped 1.4 percent.

Editor: Ben Armour