China’s exports fell 3.1 per cent in June from a year earlier, the first decline since January last year, while imports dropped 0.7 per cent, leaving the country with a trade surplus of US$27.1 billion for the month, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

That compared with market expectations of a 4.0 per cent rise in exports, an 8.0 per cent increase in imports and a trade surplus of US$27.0 billion.