China's trade surplus in the first nine months of the year, fell by 2.6 percent, or US$4.92 billion, from a year earlier.

The September surplus, however, rose 22.59 percent from a year earlier to US$29.3 billion. This is the third month of gains in a row.

In August, the surplus was US$28.69 billion. In July, it was US$25.28 billion.

September exports rose 21.5 percent from August to US$136.4 billion. Imports decelerated, only rising 21.3 percent to US$107.1 billion, the General Administration of Customs said on Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2008)