China's imports growing at high pace.

BEIJING, Nov. 10 Kyodo

Chinese trade and economic statistics continued to look good through October, but the trade surplus, $23.1 billion, has been declining as the import growth rate outpaces that of exports, according to statistics released Friday.

October exports were 25.1% higher than the year before, but imports surged 37.2%, narrowing the trade surplus, according to statistics released by China's General Customs Administration.

Imports for the first 10 months of this year rose 38.6% over the previous year against a 32.2% increase in exports.

January-October exports totaled $205.1 billion, $23.1 billion above total imports.

Exports to China's top 20 partners rose more than 20%, while trade with Korea, Russia and the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations climbed more than 40%.

Exports to Japan were up 32.4% to $33.7 billion over the 10-month period, those to the United States 27.2% to $43.4 billion.

Exports in machinery and electronics grew fastest to become the top category while growth in exports of textiles, footwear, travel gear, toys and other small-ticket items was only marginal.