BEIJING: China’s trade surplus surged in May, official data showed Sunday, as export growth accelerated sharply while imports showed a surprise fall.

Exports increased 7 percent to $195.47 billion year-on-year, the General Administration of Customs announced, while imports declined 1.6 percent to $159.55 billion, resulting in a surplus of $35.92 billion — a 74.9 percent jump from the same month last year.

The result surpassed the median forecast of a surplus of $23.4 billion in a survey of 15 economists by Dow Jones.

Exports, which sharply outpaced April’s 0.9 percent gain, were in line with the median prediction of a 7.2 percent rise. The mixed trade results came as worries over China’s growth outlook have increased this year after a series of generally weaker-than-expected statistics, though trade data distortions have partially clouded the situation.