Yuan gets a booster as China's Dec exports jump and trade surplus swells

Beijing

CHINA'S trade surplus widened and exports recovered last month, offering support to a weakening currency that has roiled global markets this year.

The nation's trade balance widened to US$60 billion, taking the full-year tally to US$594.5 billion, helping offset capital outflows that have pressured the yuan. Exports slid 1.4 per cent in US dollar terms in December from a year earlier, and rose when counted in the local currency.