China trade data fans recovery hopes

China has reported better-than-expected trade data, fuelling optimism that its economic growth may be rebounding from the recent slowdown.

Exports, a key growth driver, surged 25% in January from a year earlier, suggesting a pick up in global demand.

Imports surged 28.8% indicating a robust pick up in domestic demand.

Mark Matthews, head of Asia Research at Bank Julius Baer, told the BBC that there were "genuine signs" of a recovery in the global economy.