China's exports unexpectedly returned to growth in January after a shock decline the previous month, while imports fell much less than expected.
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But analysts said on Thursday the boost was likely due to seasonal factors and predicted renewed trade weakness ahead.
January exports rose 9.1 per cent from a year earlier, data showed. Imports fell 1.5 per cent from a year earlier, much better than analysts' forecasts for a 10 per cent fall and narrowing from December's 7.6 per cent drop.
That left the country with a trade surplus of $US39.16 billion for the month, better than forecasts of $US33.5 billion.
Global investors and China's major trading partners are closely watching to see how quickly its economy is cooling, or if a spate of support measures announced last year are beginning to take hold.
But analysts warned data from China in the first two months of the year must be treated with caution due to business distortions caused by the long Lunar New Year holidays, which started on February 4.
"It might be premature to conclude that the trade prospect has improved just based on the January number," OCBC Bank China economist Tommy Xie said.
Economists had widely tipped that China would see weaker exports early this year. Factories have reported shrinking overseas orders for months and warehouses in America are packed to the rafters with Chinese goods that retailers stockpiled last year in anticipation of more US tariffs.
Trade globally has also been faltering amid rising protectionism and a loss of momentum in some major economies, most notably in Europe.
Pressure on China will escalate quickly if Beijing and Washington cannot reach a deal soon to end their year-long trade war.
The US is set to sharply raise tariffs on $US200 billion worth of Chinese imports from March 1, though President Donald Trump said this week he could let the deadline "slide for a little while" if a deal appears close.
China's trade surplus with the United States narrowed to $US27.3 billion in January, from $US29.87 billion in December.
Exports to the United States fell 2.4 per cent in January from a year earlier, while imports from the United States plunged 41.2 per cent.
China's economic growth slowed to 6.6 percent in 2018, weighed down by rising borrowing costs and a clampdown on riskier lending.
Australian Associated Press
