Chinese exports, imports buoyant in March, analysts say

Improved global demand and a good base effect are likely to have kept Chinese exports buoyant in March, while higher oil prices will have lifted its imports, according to an analyst poll. 

Chinese trade surplus is expected to be at $52.05 billion in March, following a surplus of $103.25 billion in the first two months of 2021.

Exports are anticipated to have climbed 35.5% year-on-year in March. The figure was down from a 60.6% jump in January to February as levels from last year suffered a deeper contraction when China passed the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The recovery in overseas demand for Chinese goods continued amid greater vaccination efforts. Imports likely climbed 23.3% year-on-year in March, higher than the 22.2% gain in the first two months of the year.