Aug 8 (Reuters) - Copper prices advanced on Monday, as declining inventories and improved exports in top consumer China overshadowed fears of weakening demand from a global recession.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange rose 0.7% to $7,928 a tonne by 0705 GMT, while the most-traded September copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange advanced 2% to 60,930 yuan ($9,011.05) a tonne.

China's copper imports rose 9.3% from a year earlier as the sharp drop in prices triggered buying appetite, while the country's overall exports growth unexpectedly picked up speed in July, easing some demand worries for metals.

ShFE copper stockpile have dropped 79% since March to 34,768 tonnes, their lowest levels since Jan. 28.

But with Germany sliding into recession, the United States gripped by inflation and rising interest rates and China battling with its COVID-19 outbreaks, metals outlook remained uncertain, Malcolm Freeman, director of Kingdom Futures, said in a note.

"It is very hard to make a bullish argument for the metals at the moment," Freeman said, adding that the U.S.-China tension over Taiwan also posed a threat.

LME copper prices have tumbled 27% from their record peak of $10,845 a tonne hit in March this year.

Companies are bracing for a tough second half of the year, cutting jobs and slowing hiring as growth slows.

"I don't think demand would support price. I would buy if price reaches $7,000," said a trader.

LME zinc dropped 0.6% to $3,469 a tonne, while lead rose 1.1% to $2,093 a tonne and tin advanced 0.2% to $24,500 a tonne.

The premium of LME cash lead over the three-month contract rose to $24.75 a tonne, the highest since July 12.

ShFE nickel dropped 2.2% to 169,820 yuan a tonne, aluminium declined 0.1% to 18,415 yuan a tonne, zinc decreased 0.4% to 24,345 yuan a tonne while lead rose 0.7% to 15,290 yuan a tonne.

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