China's exports and imports to and from Japan slowed in October from previous months despite bilateral trade showing signs of improvement in the second half of this year.

China-Japan trade in October registered $26.93 billion, compared with $29.03 billion in September, according to the General Administration of Customs. China's exports to Japan reached $13.50 billion in October, down from $14.09 billion in September while China's imports from Japan stood at $13.44 billion, less than the $14.94 billion in the previous month.

Japan is China's fifth-largest trade partner. The first ten months of this year saw two-way trade between the top Asian economies decrease 7 percent year-on-year to $255.98 billion amid tension between the two countries.

In contrast, China's trade with major partners improved in the January-October period.

Trade with the European Union edged up 0.5 percent year-on-year, compared with the 0.8-percent drop in the January-September period.

China's trade with the United States rose 6.9 percent year-on-year, higher than the 6.7-percent over year growth in the first three quarters of this year.