December export growth slows, trade surplus expands

China's export growth slowed in December, reflecting weakening global demand amid euro zone woes.

Overseas shipments expanded 13.4 percent from a year ago, slowing from a 13.8 percent increase in November, the General Administration of Customs data showed today.

Imports gained 11.8 percent and trade surplus stood at US$16.52 billion, compared with US$14.5 billion in November, the customs said.

For the whole year of 2011, China's trade surplus narrowed 14.5 percent year-on-year to US$155 billion amid growing imports and weakening external demand due to prolonged European debt crisis.

China's exports to developed countries remained flat but stable, while shipments to the emerging markets increased rapidly, the customs said.

China's total trade topped a record US$3.6 trillion in 2011, up 22.5 percent from 2010.

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