China : Trade surplus surges in early months of 2007

According to General Administration of Customs statistics China earned a trade surplus of over US $39.5 billion in the months of January and February 2007.

In February alone the trade surplus reached $23.7 billion as exports touched the $82 billion mark, up 51.7 percent from the same period in 2006.

Exports for the two months recorded year-on-year climb of 41.5 percent to $168.7 billion.

Machinery and electronic products exports during the period rose 38.4 percent to $98.5 billion.

Garment and apparel exports were also seen improving 44.2 percent to $15.56 billion and footwear exports increased 36.2 percent to $4.25 billion.

However, imports were also seen rising 20.6 percent to $129.1 billion for the January-February period.

In February imports gained 13.1 percent over the previous year to $58.34 billion.