A mixed batch of Chinese data on Friday showing a narrowing slump in merchandise trade and the persistence of deflationary pressures underlined the challenges policymakers face in trying to engineer a durable economic recovery. China's raft of policy support measures over recent months have begun to stabilise some parts of the world's second-biggest economy, but a long-running property crisis, a slowdown in global growth and geopolitical tensions remain a drag on broad activity. Outbound shipments in September declined 6.2% from a year ago, following a drop of 8.8% in August, and beating economists' forecast for a 7.6% fall in a...