China’s exports rose 21.8 percent in February from a year earlier while imports declined 15.2 percent, leaving a trade surplus of $15.25 billion, the customs administration said today in Beijing. The growth in overseas shipments compares with the median estimate for an 8.1 percent gain in a Bloomberg News survey of 33 analysts and a 25 percent increase the previous month. Forecasts ranged from a 10 percent decline to a 35.9 percent gain. The drop in imports compares with the median estimate for an 8.5 percent decline and a 28.8 percent increase in January. Projections ranged from a fall of 19.5 percent to a gain of 5 ... (full story)