China Swings to Trade Surplus on Higher Exports to Asian Countries

However, economists doubted the accuracy of the figures and the strength of the real demand.

China's April trade surplus was $18.2bn (£11.7bn, €13.9bn), compared to an unexpected deficit of $884m in March. Economists estimated a trade surplus of $15.1bn for the month.

Exports for April rose 14.7% to $187.1bn, while imports increased by 16.8% to $168.9bn, according to the Customs Administration. That compares to analysts estimates for a 10.3% rise in exports and a 13.9% increase in imports.

China's April trade with the rest of the world gained 12% year-on-year, while trade with Hong Kong surged by 55%. Excluding Hong Kong, China ran a $20bn trade deficit with the rest of the world in the month.

Nevertheless, there is a rising discrepancy between China's trade growth and Hong Kong's exports to the rest of the world, according to some analysts.

By destination, exports to the US declined 0.1% year-on-year, following a 6.5% contraction in March and that to the European Union fell by 6.4% from a 14% contraction in the prior month. Exports to Hong Kong, ASEAN and Taiwan rose 57.2%, 37.2% and 49.2%, respectively.

For the first four months of 2013, the country recorded a trade surplus of $61bn.

Investors have been concerned about the uneven growth in China's economy that recorded a gross domestic product growth of 7.8% in 2012, the slowest pace in more than a decade. The decline was driven by weakness at home and other key export markets.

Though the country posted a growth rate of 7.9% in the fourth quarter of 2012, reigniting optimism about the economy, it suddenly retreated to a 7.7% growth in the first quarter.

China's State Information Centre predicts the economy to grow at 8% in the second quarter, with consumer price index inflation growing at about 2.3%. Indicating a sluggish start for the second quarter, growth in the manufacturing and services sectors slowed down in April, according to separate surveys.

In 2012, the country's trade increased by 6.2%, missing official target for about 10% growth. China expects an 8% trade growth in 2013.

The latest trade data signals a gradual revival in external demand, but some analysts say that exporters may have overstated their business to sneak funds in the country and avoid capital restrictions.