SIMIC

Exports rose 16.3 per cent in dollar terms in the January-February period year-on-year, beating the 14 per cent median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists. Exports had increased 20.9 per cent in December.

Imports increased 15.5 per cent on year during the period, below a 17 per cent gain predicted by economists. The trade surplus came in at US$116 billion.

China's economic activity is typically volatile in the first two months of the year due to the week-long Chinese New Year holiday. Covid outbreaks in some parts of the country also caused temporary business suspensions, although the commerce ministry has said the impact was manageable overall.