China's foreign trade grew by 7.9 percent to 12.58 trillion yuan ($1.88 trillion) in the first four months of 2022, official data showed on Monday.

Exports over the period surged 10.3 percent year-on-year to 6.97 trillion yuan, while imports hit 5.61 trillion yuan, growing 5 percent on a yearly basis, the General Administration of Customs said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations remained China's top trading partner during this period, while trade with economies related to the Belt and Road Initiative grew by 15.4 percent year-on-year to 3.97 trillion yuan.

In the face of a more complex and severe external environment, the growth in China's foreign trade between January and April fully demonstrates the nation's strong economic resilience and ample potential, said Li Kuiwen, director-general of GAC's statistics and analysis department, stressing that the fundamentals of China's long-term sound economic growth will not change.

The growth during this period will support China to achieve the goal of ensuring stability and improving the quality of its foreign trade for the whole year, he added.