Growth rate of trade surplus slows down

China's trade surplus growth slowed down in July from the first half of the year, with imports hitting a record high, the Customs said on Friday.

Imports touched $83.39 billion in July, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 26.9 percent, the General Administration of Customs said.

"It is the highest monthly volume," it said. Also, for the first time since April, monthly imports crossed $80 billion.