Exports fell by 4.4% compared to a year earlier, which was a slight improvement over June's 4.8% drop but still worse than analysts had been expecting.

Imports were also weaker than estimated, down by 12.5%.As China is a crucial driver of the worldwide economy, the data is seen as a snapshot of the global outlook.

The country's exports have fallen for 12 out of the past 13 months.Global uncertainty ranging from low commodity prices to the EU debt crisis and the UK leaving the bloc continues to mute economic activity around the world.