China's January-February Trade Shows Resilient Export Growth Despite Headwinds

• Exports grew 7.1% year-on-year, beating expectations and reaching record high volumes, led by emerging trade partners like Africa, Latin America, India and Russia.

• Imports rebounded, rising 3.5% after minimal 0.2% growth in December, mainly driven by improvements in processing trade.

• Trade surplus was $125.1 billion, up from $103.8 billion the previous year.

• Exports increased to Russia and the U.S. but fell to the EU. Shipments grew mildly or contracted for other major partners.

• Analysts say trade figures show encouraging signs but likely insufficient to be a major growth contributor, expecting further slowdowns.