China's Exports Jump, Trade Surplus Hits $6.48 Billion In January

China's export-driven economy pushed the country's trade surplus to $6.48 billion in January, statistics showed Tuesday. Asia's second largest economy saw total exports jump 42.2% in January to $50.77 billion compared to a year earlier, Xinhua news agency said, citing figures from the Customs General Administration.

Imports in the month rose 24% to $44.29 billion but were down sharply on the $52.7 billion worth of goods recorded in December. The sharp rise in exports outpaced imports among as oil, cars and steel goods coming into the country fell, the report said. China has recorded consecutive trade surpluses since May. China's booming economy, which grew 9.5% last year, pushed its trade surplus for 2004 up 25.6% to $32 billion, the highest level in six years.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2005