China posted a trade surplus of $24.97 billion for August, up from $18.8 billion a year earlier,
the customs administration said on Tuesday.
It said exports grew 22.7% from a year earlier, with imports up 20.1%.
Economists polled by Reuters had expected a surplus of $26.0 billion. They had projected annual export growth of 25%, with imports up 21.8%.
The surplus was up from $24.4 billion in July but below June's record high of $26.9 billion.
The rolling 12-month surplus increased to $245.2 billion from $239 billion in July and $229.15 billion in June.
For the first eight months the surplus came to $161.76 billion.