China recorded a trade surplus of $17.75 billion in August, down from the figure of $31.48 billion posted in July, according to the General Administration of Customs.

The total value of China's foreign trade in August rose 27.1% year-on-year in August, with exports up 24.5% to $173.31 billion, while imports rose 30.2% to $155.56 billion, hitting a new high since March.

For the first 8 months, the total value of China's foreign trade increased 25.4% year-on-year to $2.35 trillion, with exports rising 23.6% year-on-year to $1.22 trillion, while imports were up 27.5% to $1.13 trillion. The trade surplus for this period declined 10% year-on-year to $92.73 billion.

The value of the Sino-E.U. trade during the first 8 months increased 21.8% year-on-year to $372.14 billion, while the value of the Sino-U.S. trade rose 17.8% year-on-year to $285.65 billion.

Trade between China and ASEAN increased 26.6% year-on-year to $234.61 billion, while trade between China and Japan increased 18.8% year-on-year to $221.98 billion.

Exports of electrical products increased 19% year-on-year to $691.61 billion during the first 8 months, while exports of equipment and machinery rose 16.5% year-on-year to $227.63 billion.

Textile exports increased 27.2% year-on-year to $62.96 billion, while exports of shoes rose 20.9% year-on-year to $27.91 billion.

Imports of iron ore during the first 8 months increased 10.6% year-on-year to 450 million tons, with the average import price up 37.4% to $164.4 per ton.

Coal imports decreased 1.4% year-on-year to 104 million tons, with the average import price up 11.9% to $111.5 per ton.

Soybean imports decreased 5.5% year-on-year to 33.58 million tons, with the average import price up 31.2% to $574.8 per ton. Imports of automobiles increased 22.1% year-on-year to 635,000 units.