China Exports Up, Imports Down

China May Exports Rise More Than Estimated as Imports Decline

Imports dropped 1.6 percent from a year earlier, the administration said. That compared with a median estimate for a 6 percent increase from analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News, with forecasts ranging from a gain of 0.3 percent to 13 percent.

The trade surplus was $35.92 billion, the customs administration said. That compared with the median estimate for a $22.6 billion excess. The surplus was $18.45 billion in April and $20.53 billion a year earlier, according to previously released customs data.

Weak imports for a weak economy, but growth outside of China may be picking up. Exports to Europe and South Korea increased more than 6 percent yoy in May.