Shanghai Futures Exchange copper pared earlier losses to close at 47,390 yuan ($6,869) a tonne, down 0.3 percent on Friday after robust China imports in November offered more evidence that the world's No 2 economy is on a recovery track. China's imports grew at the fastest pace in more than two years in November, fuelled by its strong thirst for commodities from coal to iron ore, while exports also rose unexpectedly, reflecting a pick-up in both domestic and global demand. "Looking ahead, the import picture should remain bright," Argonaut Securities said in a note.