China's trade surplus soared 73 percent in May from a year earlier to US$22.45 billion, Xinhua reported, citing data from the customs bureau.

　　That's more than the US$19.5 billion median estimate of 18 economists¹ surveyed by Bloomberg News. The surplus would bring the gap for the first five months to US$85.76 billion, an 84 percent increase on a year earlier.

Related readings:
 Wu: China will do its part in sorting global imbalances
 Trade surplus to exceed US$250b in 2007
 April trade surplus hits $16b
 $4.3b deal to narrow trade gap

　　The Chinese government last month said it will boost imports to narrow a trade surplus with the U.S. that last year reached US$232.5 billion. The Ministry² of Finance raised export taxes on 142 products and cut tariffs⁴ on 209 types of imports from June 1.

　　The World Bank last month raised its estimate for China's growth this year to 10.4 percent from 9.6 percent because of improved prospects⁵ for exports to Europe and developing countries.

　　China's economy, the world's fourth largest, expanded 11.1 percent in the first quarter.

　　The trade surplus may swell⁶ to US$250 billion-US$300 billion in 2007 from a record US$177.5 billion last year, according to a forecast by the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner.

Notes
soar vi.剧增
customs bureau海关
gap n.缺口
boost vt.推进
tariff³ n.关税
swell vi.膨胀，增加