Shock slump in Chinese imports

China's economy showed more signs of wobbling today after a shock 2.6 per cent slump in imports last month.

The decline – which is bad news for Australia, Brazil and other countries that feed the Red Dragon's economic machine – comes after factory output hit a three-year low.

Beijing has cut interest rates twice since June.

China's premier, Hu Jintao, has promised to prop up the economy with a "proactive fiscal policy".