Despite the weak nature of the global textile market and the rising yuan, China's cotton fabric exports were strong during the month of April, increasing 8.44 percent from the previous year to 604 million meters. Cumulative September 2007 through April 2008 exports jumped 5.12 percent to 4.458 billion meters. However, cotton fabric imports did not fare as well, dropping 18.72 percent during the month to 109 million meters, while cumulative imports declined 16.11 percent to 741 million meters.