China's trade surplus hit a record US$14.6 billion in July, up 40.6 percent over July last year, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) announced on Thursday.

Exports rose 22.6 percent over July last year to US$80.34 billion, and imports increased 19.7 percent to US$65.72 billion.

China posted a trade surplus of US$75.95 billion in the first seven months, up 51.9 percent over the same period last year. Exports rose 24.8 percent to US$508.9 billion while imports reached US$432.95 billion, an increase of 21.1 percent.

The European Union remains China's top trading partner with bilateral trade in the first seven months growing 21.1 percent over the same period last year to US$143.5 billion.

The United States is China's second largest trading partner with the trade reaching US$142.16 billion. Japan is third at US$112.94 billion from January to July.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remains China's fourth largest trading partner with trade up to US$86.11 billion.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2006)