China's trade surplus expanded to $105.4 billion in May from $84.8 billion in April, according to data from the General Administration of Customs released Tuesday.
The reading was higher than the consensus forecast of $88.7 billion tracked by Investing.com.
Exports rose 19.4% year over year to $376.8 billion, hitting the consensus forecast for a 15% growth and exceeding April's 14.1% expansion.
Imports increased 27.4% to $271.3 billion, faster than the 25.3% jump in April. The consensus forecast was for a 25% rise.