China’s exports rose 7.2 percent in August from a year earlier while imports advanced 7 percent, resulting in a $28.6 billion trade surplus, the General Administration of Customs said today in Beijing. Shipments abroad compared with the median estimate for a 5.5 percent increase in a Bloomberg News survey of 46 analysts and July’s 5.1 percent gain. Forecasts ranged from growth of 2.1 percent to 10.1 percent. The increase in imports compares with the median estimate for an 11.3 percent gain and a 10.9 percent increase in July. Economist projections ranged from growth of 5 percent to 15 percent. The trade surplus ... (full story)