Data released on Thursday revealed a surprising uptick in Chinese exports for November, marking the first annual increase in seven months.
China’s overseas shipments rose 0.5% from a year ago to $291.9 billion in November, beating expectations of a 1.1% decline, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

Imports fell 0.6% year-on-year in November, contrary to estimates of a 3.3% rise and shifting from a 3% rise in October.

China’s trade surplus grew to $68.4 billion from $66.5 billion during the same period.

In the first 11 months of this year, China’s exports and imports fell 5.2% and 6%, respectively, from a year earlier.