China's imports and exports both fell in February

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Europe

China's US dollar-denominated imports fell by 5.2 percent in February year-on-year, while exports fell by 20.7 percent, according to statistics released by General Administration of Customs in China on Friday.

The total import and export value decreased by 13.8 percent to 266.36 billion U.S. dollars; exports dropped by 20.7 percent to 135.24 billion U.S. dollars, and imports by 5.2 percent to 131.12 billion U.S. dollars.

China's overall trade surplus declined by 87.2 percent to 4.12 billion U.S. dollars in February.

Excluding the Spring Festival holiday factor, China's exports and imports increased by 1.5 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively.

During the first two months, China's foreign trade amounted to 622.72 billion U.S. dollars, down 3.9 percent year on year. Exports were 4.6 percent down to 353.21 billion U.S. dollars, while imports retreated 3.1 percent to 309.51 billion U.S. dollars. The trade surplus stood at 43.7 billion U.S. dollars, down 13.6 percent from one year earlier.

During the Jan.-Feb. period, China's trade with the European Union, ASEAN countries and Japan increased 8.9 percent, 1.9 percent and 4 percent, respectively, while trade with countries along the Belt and Road registered faster-than-average growth, with the combined trade volume standing at 1.28 trillion yuan (about 191 billion U.S. dollars), up 2.4 percent year on year.

Exports to the United States fell 9.9 percent, while imports tumbled 32.2 percent during the two-month period, the data showed.

(With input from Xinhua)