The Chinese government has promised more financial support to
struggling small businesses. The measures include requiring
banks to lend more to small businesses and allowing small
businesses to issue more bonds while paying less tax, according
to a meeting chaired by premier Wen Jiabao. But the government
will crack down on the rapidly growing unregulated informal
loans known as "shadow lending" as underground lenders pool
money from affluent firms or individuals seeking high returns.
China exported $169.67 billion worth of goods and imported
$155.16 billion worth of goods in September, up 17.1% and 20.9%
year on year respectively, customs figures show. During the
first nine months, exports totaled $1.39 trillion and imports
totaled $1.29 trillion, up 22.7% and 26.7% respectively from the
same period a year ago. The nation's trade surplus for this year
is expected to decline slightly to $170 billion compared to last
year.  China's entrepreneur confidence index dipped to 129.4 in
3Q 2011, marking the first ti