The gains in imports are a sign of strong domestic demand and show how resilient the economy is now. With growth in the U.S. and other export markets set to accelerate, exports will be strong for some time.

The headline figures are quite strong. Machinery orders are a leading indicator of capital spending, and this outcome shows corporate spending will be strong at least in the first half of 2006.

The data is very good and is a sign of a strong, resilient economy with sound fundamentals.

Machinery makers are enjoying steady increases in their production. Japan's strong economy is boosting domestic demand.

Domestic demand has been nowhere close to strong or impressive.

Though domestic demand waned and imports slackened in the first half, due largely to macro-economic controls, it is totally wrong to consider the Chinese Government influenced foreign trade with administrative instruments.