Driven by soaring overseas demand and weak domestic consumption, China's trade surplus has crossed $1 trillion faster than the previous year's record pace.

China's export growth accelerated sharply in September, driving the nine-month trade surplus to $938 billion as high-tech shipments offset weak domestic consumption.

As China's national congress prepares to meet, leaders confront mounting structural challenges, including weak consumer demand, a prolonged housing downturn, and global pushback over manufacturing overcapacity.