Wind turbine blades await export at a factory in Nantong, eastern China, on March 2, 2021. (AFP)
China’s export growth jumped to its highest in more than two decades, official data showed on Sunday, with imports also growing in a strong recovery from the coronavirus outbreak that almost paralyzed activity.
Exports of electronics and textiles, such as masks, contributed to the increase in shipments, as demand for supplies for work at home and protective equipment against the outbreak of the virus skyrocketed during the pandemic.
Exports increased 60.6 percent in the year from January to February, above analysts’ expectations and driven by electronics and mask shipments, while imports increased by 22.2 percent, official data showed on Sunday.
The most recent customs data are in stark contrast to the 17% drop in exports last year and the 4% drop in imports.
The country struggled to contain the spread of Covid-19 from the start, with consumers staying at home and companies seeing a slow return to operations.
The comparison with last year must also have reinforced the most recent figures.
China’s overall trade surplus reached $ 103.3 billion, said its customs administration.
Chinese authorities began combining trade data for January and February last year, while battling the coronavirus outbreak.
This is in line with the way in which some other indicators are released, to smooth out the distortions of the Lunar New Year holiday, which could fall in any month.
On Sunday, official data showed that exports of electronics increased by 54.1%, while textiles, including masks, increased by 50.2%.
(This story has not been edited by the NDTV team and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)