Workers move containers at a port in Qingdao, the capital of Shandong province. China's total foreign trade in January unexpectedly surged 10.3 percent year-on-year, with exports up 10.6 percent and imports up 10 percent. Provided to China Daily

China's export performance is likely to fluctuate in the first quarter, but full-year trade growth will be similar to last year, Shen Danyang, spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce, told a news conference on Monday in Beijing.

"Because of seasonal factors, including the Lunar New Year festival, China's exports in the first quarter of this year will probably see some fluctuations, and we can't rule out the possibility that February trade figures will show an abnormal change from last year,

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"As for the full-year outlook, we maintain a cautiously optimistic view on the whole. We have confidence in securing a trade growth pace equal to last year, while further improving the trade growth pattern and structure," Shen said.

China's total trade rose 7.6 percent year-on-year in 2013, missing the government's target of 8 percent.

Total foreign trade in January unexpectedly surged 10.3 percent year-on-year, with exports up 10.6 percent and imports up 10 percent.

"However, we should be clear that the export surge doesn't necessarily indicate favorable times for Chinese exporters. A recent survey showed that many exporters, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, are generally having a hard time because of narrowing profits," Shen said.

He said profits are being affected by higher costs, renminbi appreciation and difficulties in raising export prices.

The export surge in January was mainly driven by economic recovery in developed countries, which increased demand for Chinese products, as well as the government's trade-support measures introduced in the second half of last year, according to Shen.

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