China's total imports and exports in dollar terms expanded by 35.1 percent year on year to $3.3 trillion in the first seven months of 2021, the General Administration of Customs said on Saturday. 

During the January-July period, China's exports grew by 35.2 percent and imports increased by 34.9 percent, year on year, data showed.

In July alone, China's exports in dollar terms grew by 19.3 percent from a year earlier, lower than Reuters' estimate of 20.8 percent, and the 24 percent forecast of investment bank UBS.

China's imports in July rose by 28.1 percent year on year, missing Reuters' estimate of 32.2 percent and UBS's 38 percent expectation.

China's trade surplus in July stood at $56.6 billion, wider than the $51.53 billion in June. 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations remained China's No. 1 trading partner, followed by the EU, U.S., and Japan.

The country's trade surplus with the United States rose to $35.4 billion in July from $32.6 billion in June.