China's monthly trade surplus stood at US$23.37 billion in November, slightly dropping from October's US$23.83 billion, this year's fifth monthly record high, according to the latest Customs figures on Wednesday.

The November figure has brought the aggregate surplus to a new high of US$157 billion in the first 11 months, a year-on-year increase of US$66 billion.

Preliminary customs figures show that the country's foreign trade volume reached US$1.593 trillion in the first 11 months, an increase of US$311 billion, or 24.3 percent over the same period last year.

Exports reached US$875 billion, up 27.5 percent, which was 2.2 percentage points lower than the rise in the same period last year. Imports amounted to US$718 billion, up 20.5 percent, which was 3.4 percentage points higher.

China's exports have continued to surge this year because the world economy has maintained a steady growth and Chinese products have become more competitive on the international market.

Sources with the General Administration of Customs attributed the accelerating imports to the country's rapid economic growth.

The Chinese government has said it did not pursue a huge trade surplus and taken measures to secure a much healthier and sound foreign trade growth.

The country's total trade volume is expected to jump 24 percent to hit US$1.758 trillion this year, with exports reaching US$963 billion, up 27 percent, and imports being US$795 billion, up 20 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2006)