China's exports rose 8.3 per cent year-on-year in September, surpassing expectations and marking the fastest pace since March, according to customs data. The figure exceeded a six per cent increase forecast in a Reuters poll and improved on August's 4.4 per cent rise, reports Reuters.

The stronger export performance offers some relief to China's fragile economy, though looming threats from US President Donald Trump to raise tariffs above 100 per cent could trigger deflationary pressure and jeopardise smaller exporters and factory jobs.

China has broadened its export markets this year to counter the impact of Trump's 35-percentage-point tariff hikes. This diversification has helped maintain momentum towards a roughly five per cent GDP growth target.

However, Beijing's recent move to tighten rare earth exports could provoke a harsh response from Washington. Trump has threatened to re-impose triple-digit tariffs, which analysts warn could undermine China's trade strategy.

"While China's economy has proven more resilient in the face of US tariffs than many had feared, there is still significant potential downside from a deeper rift with the US," said Capital Economics analyst Julian Evans-Pritchard.