China saw quicker growth in textile exports but slower rise in foreign sales of garments in the first five months of this year, sources with the General Administration of Customs said on Saturday.

Between January and May, China exported US$66.16 billion worth of textiles and garments, a growth of 15.4 percent on the same period of last year.

The total included US$26.07 billion worth of textile products, up 26.3 percent, and US$40.09 billion worth of garments and accessories, up 9.3 percent.

The growth rate for textile exports was higher than the level for the whole of last year, whereas that for garments was nine percentage points lower than the year-earlier level.

In May alone, the nation's garment exports increased by a record-low rate of 1.08 percent to US$8.59 billion worth.

Industry insiders accredited the substantial slowdown to weak demand abroad, expedited appreciation of Chinese currency and higher production cost.

They added that the weak demand had affected cotton sector in China. The country imported 240,200 tons of cotton in May, a decrease of 23,200 tons, or 8.81 percent, from the previous months.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2008)