China's export growth accelerated in July, figures released today showed, easing concerns that sluggish demand from the debt-burdened United States and Europe would hold back the world's second-biggest economy.

Exports rose 20.4 per cent from a year earlier, surpassing economists' consensus forecast for a 17.4 per cent rise, marking the strongest gain since April.

Imports increased by 22.9 per cent in last month over a year earlier, the General Administration of Customs said.

That left the country with a trade surplus of $31.5 billion in July, compared with $22.3 billion in June.

Exports to the United States grew 9.5 per cent year on year in July, slightly slower than in June. Exports to the European Union jumped 22.3 per ccent, nearly double the rate reported in June.

Reuters