China's trade surplus hit a record US$14.6 billion in July,
up 40.6 percent over July last year, the General
Administration of Customs (GAC) announced on Thursday.
Exports rose 22.6 percent over July last year to US$80.34
billion, and imports increased 19.7 percent to US$65.72
billion.
China posted a trade surplus of US$75.95 billion in the first
seven months, up 51.9 percent over the same period last year.
Exports rose 24.8 percent to US$508.9 billion while imports reached
US$432.95 billion, an increase of 21.1 percent.
The European Union remains China's top trading partner with
bilateral trade in the first seven months growing 21.1 percent over
the same period last year to US$143.5 billion.
The United States is China's second largest trading partner with
the trade reaching US$142.16 billion. Japan is third at US$112.94
billion from January to July.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remains
China's fourth largest trading partner with trade up to US$86.11
billion.
(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2006)