China's exports surged 28.1 percent on a yearly basis to 9.85 trillion yuan in the first half of the year, according to the latest customs data released on Tuesday. The nation's imports grew by 25.9 percent to 8.22 trillion yuan during the same period, with total foreign trade jumping by 27.1 percent to 18.07 trillion yuan in the first six months.

China's exports grew much faster than expected in June, as solid global demand led by easing lockdown measures and vaccination drives worldwide eclipsed virus outbreaks, according to a Reuters report on Tuesday.

(China's) overall imports also beat expectations, it said, citing customs data.

"Thanks to Beijing's efforts in largely containing the pandemic earlier than its trading partners, the world's biggest exporter has managed a solid economic revival from the coronavirus-induced slump in the first few months of 2020," Reuters said, adding the global easing of COVID-19 lockdown measures and vaccination drives appeared to underpin a strong uptick in worldwide demand for Chinese goods.

A Bloomberg article published the same day said China's export growth accelerated "unexpectedly" in June.

"Global appetite for Chinese goods including medical goods and work-from-home equipment has helped spur exports this year and the data showed a broad-based expansion, with stronger shipments of goods such as cell phones, refined oil products and shoes," it said.