China’s exports for December grew at a faster-than-expected rate of 2.3% year-on-year vs. consensus estimates of only 1.5%. Imports also grew 0.2%, which was better than consensus estimates of an 0.5% decline. This resulted in a trade surplus of $75.34 billion, higher than expectations of just $74.95 billion. Despite both exports and imports declining for the full year, China’s trade surplus remained relatively steady at $823 billion.