China's trade surplus jumped to 31.9 billion dollars in January.
The move has eased concerns that the world's second-largest economy may be stuck in a slowdown.
The figure was up 14 percent from a year and stronger than forecasts for a 23.7 billion dollars surplus, the BBC reports.
According to the report, imports rose by 10 percent from a year earlier to 175.27 billion dollars - led by record shipments of crude oil, iron ore and copper.
Exports increased by 10.6 percent from a year earlier to 207.13 billion dollars.
The positive trade figures also add to expectations China will overtake the US as the world's largest trading nation this year, the report added.