BEIJING – China’s exports surged 60.6% over a year earlier in the first two months of 2021, after factories reopened and global demand started to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
Exports rose to $468.9 billion, customs data showed Sunday, accelerating from December’s 18.1% gain and nearly double the growth expected by forecasters.
Imports jumped 22.2% to $365.6 billion, up from December’s 6.5% increase. Chinese authorities combine trade data for the first two months to compensate for fluctuations due to the Lunar New Year holiday, which falls at different times each year in January or February.
Factories shut down for up to two weeks, then restock after they reopen. Exporters benefited from the relatively early reopening of China’s