China's exports picked up unexpectedly in June but imports tumbled again, reinforcing expectations that the government may further loosen policy to lift the Chinese economy after a recent stock market rout.
China's June exports rose 2.8 percent from a year earlier, while imports fell by 6.1 percent.
That left the country with a trade surplus of $46.54 billion for the month.
China Customs said that the crisis in Greece was having an effect on trade, but also blamed weak external demand in general, rising labour costs and a stronger yuan.
It said enduring industrial overcapacity continued to dampen import demand.
Chinese imports had fallen for eight straight months.
