China’s imports of major commodities were mixed in August, with ongoing weakness in crude oil and natural gas but strength in coal and copper. However, where recovery was evident, probably temporary factors were driving it, rather than any underlying resurgence in demand. The world’s second-largest economy continues to struggle with the effects of its strict COVID-19 lockdowns and an embattled property sector. The standout performer was coal, with customs data on Wednesday showing imports of 29.46 million tonnes in August, up 25.3% from the prior month and 5.03% from a year earlier. The August figure […]