China's exports expanded much faster than expected in November but the annual increase in imports outpaced export growth, data from the General Administration of Customs, cited by rttnews.

In dollar terms, exports advanced 12.3 percent year-over-year in November, well above the 5.9 percent rise economists had forecast.

Similarly, imports surged 17.7 percent in November from a year ago, faster than the expected growth of 13.0 percent.

As a result, the trade surplus totaled $40.2 billion in November. The surplus was forecast to fall to $35.0 billion from about $38.2 billion in October.