Despite an optimistic overall business performance, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China are still suffering from financing difficulties, according to a recent report by the China SME Association.

The report said the nation's general SME development index was 106.7 in the second quarter of this year, dropping 0.4 percentage points from the first quarter, a downturn after rise in three consecutive quarters.

The report was made after the association surveyed SMEs in industries ranging from construction, manufacturing, real estate, information, finance, trade and food services to transportation and logistics.