China cancels January trade data release, will combine with February

The Customs Administration of China says it will combine trade data for January and February, removing volatility over the Lunar New Year period

The adjustment brings it in line with the way other major indicators are released, including consumption and industrial production

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A container carrying supplies for virus-hit Hubei Province is lifted at a railway port. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 7:28pm, 7 Feb 2020Updated: 5:45pm, 14 Feb 2020

China’s customs agency said on Friday it would not release trade data for January, but would instead combine it with import and export figures for February.

The Customs Administration of China said it would release data for January and February at the same time, bringing it in line with the way other major indicators are published.

The National Bureau of Statistics publishes fixed-asset investment, consumption and industrial production for the first two months of the year together to remove seasonal influences from the Lunar New Year holiday, when economic activity generally halts.

Various other indicators are made public on a monthly basis, including inflation and the purchasing managers’ index, consistent with major trading partners.

China’s trade data for the first two months of the year can be volatile, as shipments are heavily affected by which month the Lunar New Year breaks lands.

The last-minute announcement came as many China watchers waited for the release of January’s trade data on Friday.