SHANGHAI -- China unexpectedly snapped a five-month export decline in March, giving its beleaguered economy a fresh boost but analysts warned that unsteady overseas demand and geopolitical tensions could stall a recovery.
A pickup in orders for cars, steel, textiles and clothing sparked a 14.8% jump in shipments overseas to $315.5 billion, defying expectations for another decline after orders from some of China's key trading partners slumped late last year.
