China's exports up 10.6%

China's exports rose 10.6 percent from a year earlier in January, government figures showed on Wednesday. Exports, which also accelerated from December's 4.3 percent growth, totaled USD 207.13 billion in January, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs. Exports to the 28-member EU jumped 18.8 percent year-on-year, while shipments to the US gained 10.7 percent and Japan 16.1 percent, respectively. Imports by the world's second-largest economy grew 10.0 percent from a year earlier to USD 175.27 billion. Trade surplus stood at USD 31.86 billion, up 14.0 percent on the year. Zhang Yansheng, secretary general of the Academic Committee at the National Development and Reform Commission, said the market was generally optimistic about economic prospects of major economies, including the EU, US and Japan, and about steady growth in emerging markets, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. "China's export growth will be quite strong this year on the back of recovering external demand," Zhang added.