China May trade surplus down 9.9 pct from year earlier: customs

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — China's trade surplus stood at 20.2 billion dollars in May, down 9.9 percent from a year earlier, according to customs figures made public on Wednesday.

Chinese exports in May rose 28.1 percent from the same month a year ago to 120.5 billion dollars, while imports increased 40 percent to 100.3 billion dollars, customs figures showed.

The Chinese government said last week the nation's trade surplus is likely to shrink in 2008 for the first time in five years on weakening exports mainly due to the rising local currency and the US economic slowdown.

© 2008 AFP