China posts record trade surplus for January
China's trade surplus reached a record $6.48 billion in January due to a rise in exports, according to China's customs statistics. China's total trade volume for January totaled $95.06 billion, up 33.1% compared to January 2004. Exports rose 42.2% to $50.8 billion in January 2005, while imports increased 24% to $44.3 billion. China's trade volume with the European Union amounted to $15.9 billion, up 36.4% year-on-year. Trade volume with the US and Japan reached $14.3 billion and $12.9 billion, up 30.8% and 28.4% respectively.