China's trade surplus stood at $16.68 billion in April, the General Administration of Customs said on Monday.

The figure was down about 1 percent from the same month last year, but up from $13.4 billion in March, and $8.6 billion in February.

Exports in April rose 21.8 percent year on year to $118.71 billion, while imports were up 26.3 percent to $102.03 billion.