China’s monthly trade surplus has jumped 16.4 per cent in June to $US31.6 billion, official data shows, as exports and imports rose in the latest sign of recovering strength in the world’s second-largest economy.

Exports increased 7.2 per cent to $US186.8 billion ($A202.11 billion) year-on-year, the General Administration of Customs announced on Thursday, while imports gained 5.5 per cent to $US155.2 billion.

China is the world’s biggest trading nation in goods. The latest data came as worries earlier this year over its growth outlook have eased following a series of strong indicators in the second quarter, such as industrial production and retail sales.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew 7.4 per cent in the first three months of 2014, weaker than the 7.7 per cent in October-December last year and the worst since a similar 7.4 per cent expansion in the third quarter of 2012.

China announces second-quarter GDP results on July 16.

June’s trade surplus fell short of the median forecast of $US36.9 billion in a survey of 21 economists by The Wall Street Journal.

Exports, which accelerated slightly from May’s gain of 7.0 per cent, fell well short of the median prediction of a 10.0 per cent rise.

Imports, which fell 1.6 per cent in May, rebounded to surpass the median forecast of a 5.4 per cent increase.