Caution tempers trade optimism

Despite the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead, this year is expected to be better than 2013 for imports and exports

General Administration of Customs figures show that in January, China's foreign trade increased 10.3 percent year-on-year to $382.4 billion. Exports increased 10.6 percent year-on-year to $207.13 billion, while imports increased 10 percent to $175.27 billion. This means China's foreign trade has maintained a relatively high growth over the past few months.

Trade between China and its main trading partners continued to rise in January. The increase in trade between China and the European Union was 11.3 percent. Also, Sino-US and Sino-Japan trade increased 8.8 percent and 7.8 percent. Such a healthy growth in China's foreign trade can be attributed to the improved economic situation in advanced economies.