Exports jumped to a larger-than-expected US$50.5 billion in June after climbing 33 percent in May, customs said. Imports were also stronger than expected last month, surging 50.5 percent to US$48.65 billion.

In June alone, the country managed to post a trade surplus of US$1.84 billion, the second monthly surplus this year.

China's foreign trade swung to a surplus of US$2.1 billion in May after four consecutive months of deficit as government measures to cool the economy led to a slowdown in imports of iron ore and steel.

For the first half of the year, exports rose 35.7 percent to US$258 billion and imports surged 42.6 percent to US$265 billion, resulting in a US$6.82 billion trade deficit.

Experts said the high export growth rate will help the country ensure a soft landing.

"It is certainly encouraging that exports are not weakening," said Li Yushi, an expert from the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Co-operation.

The record growth rate this year is helping drive economic growth as the government reins in lending to cool an investment boom, he said.

"It is good to offset the investment slowdown so the country will not have a hard landing," Li said.

Surging trade may ease concerns that China's attempts to cool its economy will slow global growth and drive down commodities prices, he said.

Banks have curbed lending to industries including steel, autos and real estate.

The People's Bank of China, the central bank, has raised the amount of cash banks must set aside as reserves three times since September.

Analysts said exports rose in June at their fastest pace this year because of rising spending in the United States, Japan and Europe.

But the high growth rate of imports still painted an unclear picture of how cooling-down efforts have paid off.

The surge of 50.5 percent in imports in June, which compares with 35.4 percent growth in May and 42.9 percent in April, far outpaced expectations.

"It is much higher than we expected," said Citigroup economist Huang Yiping, who expected 28 percent year-on-year growth for imports.

Customs did not release a breakdown of trade, which is crucial to determine whether China's steps to cool its economy were working, he said.

The rapid import growth could be due to more oil purchases, but if it was because of a continued appetite for steel and iron ore, that would raise questions over whether the recent slowdown in investment growth was being sustained, the analyst said.

According to the customs statistics, crude oil imports in China rose 39.3 percent year on year to 61.02 million tons in the first half of 2004. Imports of iron ore surged 34.9 percent to 97.75 million tons. The imports of steel dipped 2.5 percent to 18 million tons. Imports for June alone were not specified.

Analysts say they will look for signs of slower import growth as more proof that government measures to rein in the economy are working.

The Ministry of Commerce said exports were expected to rise an annual 15 percent this year to US$505 billion, while imports were likely to surge 20 percent to US$495 billion.

That would produce a trade surplus of US$10 billion for this year compared to a US$25.5 billion surplus last year.

(China Daily July 13, 2004)